Changzhou Hosts Handover of Liu Guojun’s Former Residence and Launch of Liu Guojun Diaries
Introduction:
On April 3, 2024, the city of Changzhou held a ceremony marking the official handover of the former residence of patriotic industrialist Liu Guojun, alongside the launch of his newly published diaries. The event highlighted Liu’s enduring legacy as a pioneer of China’s modern textile industry and his family’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
Additional Notes:
This English version has been adapted for accessibility to English-speaking readers, with minor adjustments made for clarity. All images and captions are sourced from the original publication, with copyrights retained by their original creators, included to honor the spirit and details of the initial work. The original article in Chinese is available for viewing here.
April 3, 2024 — Changzhou, Jiangsu Province
The city of Changzhou hosted a ceremony for the handover of Liu Guojun’s former residence and the official release of Liu Guojun Diaries. The event was attended by Yang Fen, Member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Minister of the United Front Work Department, and Vice Mayor Jiang Pengju.
Liu Guojun was a patriotic industrialist from Changzhou and one of the pioneers of China’s modern textile industry. His descendants have carried forward his spirit of “caring for his hometown and benefiting the community.” With strong support and coordination from the municipal Party committee and government, and following internal discussions within the Liu family, the residence at No. 82 Qingguo Lane has been formally entrusted to government departments for restoration and protection in accordance with preservation standards. It will be opened to the public at an appropriate time. This initiative represents a significant step in safeguarding and revitalizing the Qingguo Lane historic district, while also advancing Changzhou’s efforts in cultural heritage protection and honoring notable figures from the city.
During the ceremony, Liu Guojun’s eldest grandson, Liu Xuejin, solemnly handed over the keys of No. 82 Qingguo Lane to representatives of the Changzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, and Jinling Company.
The residence, located in Tianning District, covers an area of 2,297.8 square meters and is recognized as a municipal-level protected site. It also encompasses nationally and provincially protected landmarks, including Tianxiang Tower (the birthplace and former residence of revolutionary writer Qu Qiubai) and Bagui Hall (the former residence of scholar Tang Jingchuan).
Following the handover, the launch ceremony for Liu Guojun Diaries was held. Published by Jiangsu People’s Publishing House, the book includes Liu’s personal diaries, notes on his art and calligraphy collection, and reading notes. Together, these writings vividly portray the life of a patriotic industrialist and provide valuable insights into Liu’s innovative spirit, market acumen, sense of responsibility, political and economic vision, and his devotion to both country and culture.
At the event, Yang Fen, Jiang Pengju, and Liu Xuejin presented copies of Liu Guojun Diaries to representatives from various sectors.
The ceremony was chaired by Zhang Weizhong, Executive Deputy Minister of the United Front Work Department of the Municipal Party Committee, with Deputy Minister Chen Jianxin, who also serves as Director of the Municipal Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, in attendance.
Attribution & Credentials:
- Original article published by the United Front Work Department of the CPC Changzhou Municipal Committee (常州市委统战部), April 7, 2024.
