A symposium commemorating the 130th anniversary of the birth of Mao Yisheng was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Jan 9. Wu Weihua, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and chairman of the Central Committee of the Jiu San Society, attended and addressed the symposium. Shao Hong, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and executive vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Jiu San Society, presided over the event.

Wu pointed out that Mao Yisheng was an internationally renowned civil engineering scientist, an outstanding educator, a well-known social activist, and a respected leader of China’s non-Communist parties.

As major changes worldwide evolve at a faster pace, and science and technology have a profound impact on the country's future as well as the people's well-being, it is of particularly far-reaching significance to learn about and publicize his life story and noble spirit, Wu said. It is also of great contemporary relevance to call on members of the Jiu San Society to vigorously carry forward the fine traditions of patriotism, democracy and science, and to fulfill their duties in building a strong country and advancing the great cause of national rejuvenation, he added.

Wu emphasized that in the new era and on the new journey, members of the Jiu San Society should further learn from and carry forward Mao Yisheng's patriotic spirit of cherishing the motherland and serving the people, his scientific spirit of engaging in hands-on practice and daring to innovate, as well as his noble virtue of dedicating himself to science popularization and being willing to nurture future generations.