Western Returned Scholars Association Explained

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).

History

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.

Functions

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]

Organization

Presidents

!Name!Took office!Left office!Notes
Liang Dunyan19131918
Lu Zhengxiang19181925
Chengting T. Wang1925Late 1920s
Hu ShihLate 1920s1949
Li Zongen19491950
Yan Jici19501951
Cao Richang19521953
Zhang Yuanshan19531955
Li Zongen19551956
Chen Daisun19571958
Ye Jingxin19581961
Chu Coching1961
Mao Yisheng19821991President of the 1st Council
Lu Jiaxi19911995President of the 2nd Council
Wu Jieping19951999President of the 3rd Council
Ding Shisun19992003President of the 4th Council
Han Qide20032013President of the 5th and 6th Council
Chen Zhu20132021President of the 7th Council
Ding Zhongli2021IncumbentPresident of the 8th Council

References

  1. Web site: 欧美同学会(中国留学人员联谊会)简介 . Introduction to the European and American Alumni Association (Chinese Overseas Students Association) . 2024-05-12 . Western Returned Scholars Association . 2019-05-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190512180534/http://www.wrsa.net/content_40128737.htm . live .
  2. Joske . Alex . Alex Joske . June 2020 . The party speaks for you . live . resrep25132 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200609000729/https://www.aspi.org.au/report/party-speaks-you . 2020-06-09 . 2022-11-23 . free . Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
  3. Web site: 2024-05-08 . Whispering advice, roaring praises: The role of Chinese think tanks under Xi Jinping . 2024-05-12 . . en.