Patriotism and love for his homeland are recorded in history, and attachment and affinity to Zhejiang University is renewed ever. On the afternoon of March 23, a memorial service was held on Zijingang Campus of Zhejiang University to commemorate Dr. Cao Guangbiao, honorary doctor and honorary professor of Zhejiang University.
After some students and teachers of the University, relatives of Dr. Cao Guangbiao and some beneficiaries present at the service stood up and observed a silent mourning to the statue of Dr. Cao, they watched a video to commemorate his noble style and remarkable contributions to Zhejiang University, and to convey deep condolences to him. Present at the memorial service were Ren Shaobo, Secretary of the CPC Committee of Zhejiang University, Mr. Cao Zhixin, the grandson of Dr. Cao Guangbiao and Director of Ningbo Yongxin Optics Co., Ltd., Mr. Chen Shuihua, Curator of Zhejiang Provincial Museum, Mr. Fan Zhengqiao, Deputy Director of Economic Department of Hong Kong Branch of Xinhua News Agency, and Mr. Li Peipei, Vice Chairman of Zhejiang University Development Committee. Mr. Cao Qidong, son of Dr. Cao Guangbiao delivered a video speech. Vice President Huang Xianhai presided over the memorial service.
Dr. Cao Guangbiao, a renowned entrepreneur in Hong Kong, was committed to charity during his whole lifetime. As a world-famous king of wool fabrics and founder of Dragonair, Hong Kong, he was also the first Hong Kong entrepreneur to set up factories in the mainland of China at the beginning of the reform and opening up. On March 12, Dr. Cao Guangbiao passed away in Hong Kong Adventist Hospital at the age of 101. Out of his long affinity with Zhejiang University, he donated generously to the infrastructure, disciplines, student cultivation and faculty enhancement and his children also made massive donations to Zhejiang University under his impact.
Ren Shaobo expressed that the life of Dr. Cao Guangbiao, in concordance with the progress of China and the aspirations of the people, fully showed the vision and foresight of a patriotic industrialist and social activist. With the fervent attention and support of the Cao’s family, the University has achieved tremendously in student cultivation and faculty enhancement. We cherished his memory in order to inherit and carry forward his patriotism and commitment to homeland and education, uphold and practice his pioneering endeavors in face of difficulties, adhere to his spirit of highlighting education and public welfare and guide the members of the University to work unremittingly for the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics.
Cao Qidong said in his video speech that it was the lifelong ambition of his father to develop China with science and technology and his long-cherished wish to revitalize China. With the philanthropy of his father from the 1990s onwards, “Cao Guangbiao High-Tech Development Fund” and “Cao Guangbiao High-Tech Talent Fund” were established and “Cao Guangbiao High-Tech Building” was erected at Zhejiang University. Later on, his brothers and sisters also followed their father’s footsteps and did their best for the progress of Zhejiang University. The affinity between the Cao’s family and the University will be closely linked and passed on from generation to generation.
Li Peipei, Chen Shuihua, Fan Zhengqiao, Mao Lei, General Manager of Ningbo Yongxin Optics Co., Ltd., and Zhang Meifeng, Deputy Director of Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Zhejiang University delivered speeches one by one, saying that they would learn from and carry forward Dr. Cao Guangbiao’s patriotism and love for hometown, spirit of perseverance and innovation, simple and humble spirit of struggling, and they were inspired to move forward too. Some heads from School of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Computer Science and Technology and College of Optical Science and Engineering, recipients of Cao Guangbiao High-Tech Talent Fund and Cao Guangbiao High-Tech Development Fund, students of Morningside Cultural China Scholars Program and retired teachers were present and delivered speeches.
Representatives of Hangzhou office of Ningbo Yongxin Optics Co., Ltd., relevant departments and schools of the University were also present at the memorial service.