President honors institute on 80th birthday

President Xi Jinping on Thursday called on China Welfare Institute to continue to dedicate itself to a cause for the future in a congratulatory letter for the organization’s 80th anniversary.

Xi, also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, extended his regards to those working diligently on the front lines of China’s women and children’s affairs.

The China Welfare Institute has stuck to the belief of following the Party over the 80 years and has conducted experimental and demonstrative work in areas including maternal and child care, education in and outside school, children’s culture and social welfare, Xi said.

The institute has played a unique role and achieved significant results in pushing forward the development of the cause of women and children, promoting the reunification of the motherland as well as of world peace and development, he said.

He called on the institute to comprehensively implement the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress and make greater contributions toward realizing the country’s “Two Centenary Goals” and fulfilling the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

Founded by Soong Ching Ling in 1938, the Shanghai-based organization focuses on maternal and child health, education and social welfare.

Soong, born in Shanghai in 1893, was the wife of Sun Yat-sen, who led the Xinhai Revolution of 1911.

Soong was the honorary chairwoman of the People’s Republic of China. She died in Beijing on May 29, 1981.