Superlative Excellence: Exhibitions in honor of Soochow University’s former President Wang Chung-Hui are ongoing until June 2015

To celebrate the 115th founding anniversary of Soochow University and the 57th death anniversary of former university president Wang Chung-Hui, a special exhibition under the theme "Superlative Excellence” was launched on March 13 at the university’s archive room. Among the many distinguished guests who participated at the opening were Frederick Chien, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Control Yuan President; Liu Yuan-Tsun, former president of Soochow University; Tang Song-Chang, Honorary Chair of Soochow Alumni Association; and Wang Shou-Cheng, grandson of Mr. Wang Chung-Hui. Current Soochow President Mr. Pan Wei-Ta remarked that Mr. Wang Chung-Hui has contributed so much to the founding and reestablishment of Soochow in Taiwan that without him, Soochow Universitywould not have achieved what it has today.

President Pan Wei-Ta emphasized that the reestablishment of Soochow University in Taiwan in 1954 was mostly due to Mr. Wang Chung-Hui’s foresight and steadfast efforts. In addition, Mr. Wang was one of the most distinguished Chinese in modern China and his close ties with Soochow and his countless contributions have further made him one of the closest modern Chinese giant to Soochow. Former minister of Foreign Affairs and Control Yuan President Frederick Chien recalled memories of Mr. Wang as an extremely renowned legal scholar, diplomat, politician, and educator in the 20th century. He further remarked that Mr. Wang Chung-Hui is one of the giants in the Republic of China’s judicial circle, and through his familiarity with international law, his experiences in diplomacy, and his linguistic competence he certainly spoke with vigor at the Cairo Conference, thereby protecting the interests of the Chinese nation.

President Pan Wei-Ta accompanied the distinguished guests and Wang’s family members in visiting the graveyard of Mr. Wang Chung-Hui, where he presented a wreath in his remembrance. The participants also visited the Chung-Hui Hall (named after Mr. Wang Chung-Hui), where a special exhibition is being held until June 26, 2015. Among the many precious artifacts at the exhibition are the biographical sketches of Mr. Wang and his works and documents provided by his family, many of which are exclusive and made public for the very first time.

Among the artifacts made public for the first time were the appointment letter signed by ROC founding father Dr. Sun Yat-sen designating him as Director in charge of foreign affairs, the gavel used by Mr. Wang when he served as permanent judge (1931-1935) at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, and his birth certificate and family letters.

In addition, Mr. Wang achieved many extraordinary "firsts” during his lifetime. In 1899 he graduated with the highest honors from Peiyang University for Western Studies and obtained his diploma in the new year of 1900; on the diploma were inscriptions indicating that it was the first one ever issued in China. Later he went to Yale and became the very first Chinese to be conferred with the title of Doctor of Laws.

He was the first Chinese legal scholar to serve at the International Court of Justice in the Hague; he was one of the drafters of the United Nations Constitution and thus was well known in the field of international law. He served many important posts including director for foreign affairs, general director for justice, chief minister for internal affairs, deputy minister of the Executive Yuan, the founding President for the ROC’s Judicial Yuan, and a first-batch academician at the Academic Sinica. During his later years he served as director for Soochow University’s board of trustees and contributed much to the re-establishment and expansion of Soochow University in Taiwan.