This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the reestablishment of the Department of Sociology, Beijing University. To celebrate the significant event, a series of activities were organized. On the morning of April 7, a ceremony was held, at which distinguished guests attended included Liu Wei, Vice President of Beijing University; Lu Xueyi, Honorary President of the Chinese Sociological Association; Song Linfei, President of the Chinese Sociological Association; Li Peilin, former President of the Chinese Sociological sociation; Yang Kaizhong, Secretary-General and Director of Development of Beijing University. Also present were representatives from 19 universities in China, relevant functionaries, and heads of schools or departments of Beijing University, as well as teachers and students of the Department of Sociology, which made up a total of about 400 people. The meeting was presided by Zha Jing, Party Secretary of the Department of Sociology.

A congratulatory letter came from Zhu Shanlu, Party Secretary of Beijing University, in which he expressed his good wishes to the faculty and students as well as alumni of the Department. He stated in his letter that the department of Sociology of Peking University carried solid historical roots and strong academic tradition. Since its reestablishment in 1982, the Department has grown tremendously and thrived in all respects. Zhu urged faculty and students of the Department to make even more significant contributions in training, scholarship and social service.

In the speech by Liu Wei, Vice President of Peking University, he congratulated the Department, and sincerely hoped that the Department would expand and gain strength in the rapid social development and transition. He stressed that sociology should play a larger role in dealing with the complicated issues in the process of social transition; sociological research should be built based on research knowledge in both China and outside, old and new, and it should continue its tradition, but, meanwhile, engage in practical areas, so that it can help promote national development. Inspired by pioneers such as Fei Xiaotong, Lei Jieqiong and Yuan Fang, faculty and students of the Department have striven to make important contributions in scientific research, training, and social service. Liu urged the Department to pursue “Self cultivation, mutual cultivation”, meet the challenges of globalization, increase social visibility and influence, and seize opportunities for a brighter future.

Xie Lizhong, the current Departmental Chair also gave a speech. He expressed heartfelt welcome to the attendees on behalf of the faculty and students, and gratitude toward all of those who had cared about and given support to the Department over the three decades. He traced the 30-years course and disciplinary development, and summarized research achievements. He stated that with the three decades’ efforts, the Department had gradually gained strength with distinctive characteristics, and its competitiveness and international recognition have been continuously increased. Xie urges the Department to set up ambitious goals and visions to enhance its academic status and engage in serving national development and promoting social progress.

Other speakers included Lu Xueyi, Honorary President of the Chinese Sociological Association; Lu  Yilong, assistant chair of the Department of Sociology, Renmin University of China, represented Zheng Hangsheng, Honorary President of the Chinese Sociological Association; Song Linfei, President of the Chinese Sociological Association; Zhou Xiaohong, School of Sociology, Nanjing University, represented other universities or colleges; Wang Sibin, professor of sociology, represented faulty of the Department;  Li Guoqing, President of Dangdang Website and represented alumni; and Xue Difeng, ‘2008, represented students.

Alumni Li Guoqing and Yuan Yue made generous donations to the Department to set up Young Teachers Research Fund and Yuan Fang Sociology Fund. “Distinguished Alumni Award” was given to Li Guoqing, Wu Xinfang, Li Bin and Yuan Yue. The ’86 and ’91 classes received “Model Class” for excellent alumni organizing work.

The afternoon activities included: Thirtieth Anniversary and Discipline Development Seminar, the Instructional Committee meeting on National Masters Program in Social Work, launching ceremony of “Yu Tianxiu Excellent Dissertation Award”, the second meeting of the First Alumni Council of the Department, and Friendship Soccer Game.

After three decades’ development, the Department now has three programs in sociology, anthropology and demography, and four majors in sociology, social work, demography and anthropology. It trains undergraduates, Masters’ and Ph.D. students, and post-doctorates. It aims to become a first-class training and research institution, and an internationally recognized consulting agency with strong applied research. It will make significant contributions towards Peking University’s goal of building a world-class university, as well as prosperity of Chinese sociology and anthropology and construction of socialism and harmonious Chinese society.