On November 29, 2020, the dedication ceremony of the statue of Mr. Tan Chongtai was held in Wuhan University. Dou Xiankang, the president,Xu Yeqin, the head of the Publicity Department of the Party Committee, Zhang Failing,vice President of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, leaders of the Economics and Management School, representatives of Mr. Tan Chongtai's family, teachers, and students attended the ceremony. They jointly witnessed the completion of the statue of Mr. Tan Chongtai and remembered his academic and historical contributions.
Dou Xiankang pointed out in his speech that on the 127th anniversary of Wuhan University, the grand ceremony of the statue of Mr. Tan Chongtai was held to commemorate his moral articles, carry forward his academic spirit, pay tribute to his predecessors and encourage his successors. Dou Xiankang encouraged the faculty and students of the Economics and Management School to inherit Mr. Jiashan's academic spirit and promote the development of the discipline. "We are going to promote Mr. Jiashan's pursuit of excellence, gather in our hearts, work hard and overcome difficulties, and strive to build Wuhan University into a world-class university with Chinese characteristics, so as to appease the souls of our ancestors in Luojia Mountain," he said.
Professor Wen Jiandong from the School of Economics and Management briefly introduced the conception and creation process of Mr. Tan Chongtai's statue. He mentioned that the statue had been donated by Tan's disciples. The total amount donated by the students greatly exceeded the cost of designing and making the statue, and the remaining funds were transferred to the established Development Economics Scholarship of Professor Tan Chongtai. The statue declares that Mr. Tan would inspire his younger students to forge ahead academically, continue the glory of Wuhan University, and devote themselves to China's economic and social development and progress.
Professor Xu Changsheng of School of Economics of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, as the representative of Mr. Tan Chongtai's disciple, expressed his high respect and deep thoughts to the beloved teacher on behalf of Mr. Tan's disciple at home and abroad at the opening ceremony. According to Xu, Tan is a perfect teacher and an eternal idol in the hearts of students. Economics and Management School of Wuhan University is renowned both domestic and abroad because of the leading role of a group of masters such as Mr. Tan. Although Mr. Tan has left us, his university spirit, academic style and teacher style are the precious spiritual wealth left to us, which are always worth studying and keeping up with.
Professor Tan Liwen, son of Mr. Tan Chongtai, on behalf of his mother and loved ones, expressed deep gratitude to the leaders, teachers and disciples of his father for their participation in the ceremony of making and unveiling the statue. He told several short stories about Mr. Tan, from which he showed that Mr. Tan is a teacher with a firm belief in himself, a husband who cares for his wife, and a father who takes good care of and encourages his children. Mr. Tan Chongtai has been working and living in Wuhan University for 26,199 days. As a successful scholar, he not only has wise thoughts, good foundation and hardworking spirit, but also has a sense of patriotism and rich emotions. The father, Mr. Tan Chongtai, will always be where he can and should be, and in the hearts of his children and grandchildren. "Dreaming the blue waves of the East Lake, thinking of the green plants of the Luo Jia Mountain. On the war-torn land, streams flow and mountains stand. When will I arrive at my hometown?" This is a poem written by his father when he was a student in Leshan, which was praised by Mr. Ye Shengtao. Now his father is back in a new form and image at Luojiashan and east Lake.
The inauguration ceremony of the statue of Mr. Tan Chongtai is one of a series of activities to celebrate the 127th anniversary of Wuhan University. The ceremony was presided over by Du Xiaocheng, Party Secretary of Economics and Management School. The statue of Mr. Tan is located in the building of the Economics and Management School, backed by the home of the faculty, facing the rising sun in the east and the broad boundless East Lake.