On the morning of June 3, the First Meeting of Committee Members of Guangdong Promotion Committee for Cantonese Merchants Research was held at Library Lecture Hall in North Campus. The meeting voted to approve theConstitutionof Guangdong Promotion Committee for Cantonese Merchants Researchand the standard for membership fees, elected the members, the executive directors and chief of the first session of the Council, and elected Zhong Weihe as the first president.
The participants include Li Xuming, vice president of Social Science Association of Guangdong Province, Li Minghua, chairman of Culture Association of Guangdong Province, Xu Zuping, deputy director of Non-governmental Organization Administration of Guangdong Province, Zhong Weihe, president of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Gu Yeli, vice president of GDUFS, Li Qing, Secretary-general of Guangdong Research Institute for International Studies, Shen Minghao, director of Cantonese Merchants Research Center, and guests and representatives from provincial departments, municipal departments, universities, research institutes, enterprises and the media. The meeting was presided over by Shen Minghao.
Zhong Weihe made a speech on the election of the first president. He said that the establishment of the Committee marked a historic and new step. It will play an important part in promoting the connection between Cantonese governments, universities, research institutions and relevant offices. This mode of cooperation and integration is an effective exploration to learn from experience, find the defects, analyse the developing direction and provide suggestions to the Cantonese merchants and will make a significant contribution to their further development.
Gu Yeli said that as one of the three biggest merchant clans, Cantonese merchants had always been pioneering, pragmatic, innovative, and open to the world. GDUFS owns a unique advantage in the field of Cantonese merchants research. The establishment of Cantonese Merchants Research Center of the university will further promote the development of the research.
Xu Zuping announced the official approval documents for the preparation of Cantonese Merchants Research Center, Shen Minghao reported on the preparatory work of the Center. Subsequently, all the delegates elected by secret ballot the members of the Council (including the Executive Council).
After a short tea break, Shen Minghao announced the election results and Xu Zuping to declared the validity of the election. Subsequently, the elected executive members took photos with leaders and guests.
On behalf of initiators, Li Qing read the congratulatory letters sent by Guangdong General Chamber of Commerce and other five organizations and departments.
Li Xuming make concluding remarks. He said Cantonese merchants research was of great significance. The Center could start from the formation, changes and development of Cantonese merchants and make conclusions, classifications and analysis to the operation, governance, and cultural ideas and experiences, which lead to the academic promotion. Under the new situation, the Center will integrate resources and strengthen its efforts to guide the new Cantonese merchants to emancipate the mind, pay more attention to culture, be more innovative and integrated into the world. Thereby they could maintain a strong vitality and achieve sustainable development.
