Western Returned Scholars Association | |
Native Name: | 欧美同学会 |
Type: | People's organization |
Headquarters: | Ruide Building, No. 5 Yumin East Road, Xicheng, Beijing |
Leader Title: | President |
Leader Name: | Ding Zhongli |
Parent Organization: | United Front Work Department |
The Western Returned Scholars Association (WRSA) is a people's organization composed mainly of returned overseas Chinese students from various countries. It is under the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The WRSA was founded in October 1913 in Beijing by Wellington Koo, Liang Dunyan, Zhan Tianyou, Cai Yuanpei, Yan Huiqing, Chengting T. Wang, and Zhou Yichun, among others.[1]
The organization ceased activities during the Cultural Revolution, and resumed its activities in 1982.
According to analyst Alex Joske, the WRSA is "the UFWD's primary body for interacting with ethnic Chinese scholars and scientists". It runs the official association for participants for the Thousand Talents Plan.[2] It is managed by the UFWD and led by the CCP Secretariat.[3]
Liang Dunyan | 1913 | 1918 | ||
Lu Zhengxiang | 1918 | 1925 | ||
Chengting T. Wang | 1925 | Late 1920s | ||
Hu Shih | Late 1920s | 1949 | ||
Li Zongen | 1949 | 1950 | ||
Yan Jici | 1950 | 1951 | ||
Cao Richang | 1952 | 1953 | ||
Zhang Yuanshan | 1953 | 1955 | ||
Li Zongen | 1955 | 1956 | ||
Chen Daisun | 1957 | 1958 | ||
Ye Jingxin | 1958 | 1961 | ||
Chu Coching | 1961 | |||
Mao Yisheng | 1982 | 1991 | President of the 1st Council | |
Lu Jiaxi | 1991 | 1995 | President of the 2nd Council | |
Wu Jieping | 1995 | 1999 | President of the 3rd Council | |
Ding Shisun | 1999 | 2003 | President of the 4th Council | |
Han Qide | 2003 | 2013 | President of the 5th and 6th Council | |
Chen Zhu | 2013 | 2021 | President of the 7th Council | |
Ding Zhongli | 2021 | Incumbent | President of the 8th Council |