November 24 marked the first anniversary of the passing of Prof. Yeh Chiaying, an eminent scholar of classical Chinese poetry. On that day, the International Symposium on Yeh Chiaying and Chinese Poetry Teaching, co-hosted by Nankai University (NKU) and the International Confucian Association (ICA), was held at the Lecture Hall of Shiing-Shen Building on Balitai Campus. The event was attended by over 120 experts and scholars from eight countries and regions.

The symposium was attended and addressed by Yang Qingshan, Secretary of CPC Nankai University Committee; Yu Jianfu, ICA Vice President; Yu Changxue, Director of China Center for International People-to-People Exchange; Du Dali, Editorial Board Member and Deputy General Manager of xuexi.cn; Ma Bo, Director of the Tianjin Municipal Government Information Office; and Zhang Lina, Deputy Director of Higher Education Press. Qu Mingjun, Deputy Secretary of CPC Nankai University Committee, presided over the opening ceremony.

In his address, Yang acknowledged NKU’s distinguished strengths in classical literature studies, characterized by a succession of eminent scholars and an enduring tradition of academic excellence. He paid tribute to Prof. Yeh, whose long-standing tenure and residency at NKU were defined by a lifelong dedication to the excavation and promotion of Chinese poetry and an unwavering commitment to the research and practice of Chinese poetry teaching. With a scholar’s fervent patriotism, a profound poetic sensibility, and a uniquely insightful critical methodology, Prof. Yeh devoted herself to Chinese poetry teaching and writing. Through her work, which presented the depth and value of Chinese poetry to a broad, global audience, she educated and inspired generations. Yang called on NKU’s faculty and students to integrate the poetic soul—the quintessence of China’s traditional culture—into the university’s patriotic spirit. He urged them to carry this heritage forward and contribute to the national mission of cultural advancement. At the end of his address, he expressed hope that the attendees would continue their support for NKU’s efforts in Chinese poetry teaching and dissemination.

In the presence of all attending delegates and distinguished guests from academia, the Poetry Knows No Bounds: Chinese Poetry Teaching and Promotion Initiative (2026) was officially launched at the opening ceremony. 

Distinguished keynote addresses were delivered by Wang Rongzu, Professor Emeritus at Virginia State University; Wang Jun, Executive Deputy Director of National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature; Wang Zhenmin, Professor at the Law School of Tsinghua University; and Zhang Yi, Professor at NKU. Following the keynote session, the experts and scholars present engaged in lively discussions, both online and in person, during which they shared academic findings and exchanged research insights on the following six major themes: Research on Prof. Yeh Chiaying’s Poetics and Poetry Teaching, Research on the Overseas Dissemination of Classical Chinese Poetry, Research on the Theory and Practice of Chinese Poetry Teaching, Research on the Modernization of Chinese Poetry Teaching, Research on the Internationalization of Chinese Poetry Teaching and Research on the Social Integration of Chinese Poetry Teaching.

（Edited and translated by Nankai News Team.)