Rewi Alley’s China > Beijing > Shanghai > Hubei province > Shaanxi province > Gansu province > Shandan > Lanzhou > Zhangye >
Type: Statue
Location: In front of the main building of the Bailie International Vocational College, Shandan City, Gansu Province
Google Earth Image:
GPS co-ordinates: 38°47’55.47″N 101° 5’22.26″E
Cost: Free, with permission from the College
Access: Contact College Office to enter grounds.
Website:
Background:
In front of the main building of the Bailie International Vocational College, Shandan City, is a statue of Rewi Alley and Xi Zhongxun with children either side representing ‘create and analyse’ – the Bailie Philosophy. Note that Xi Zhongxun, father of President Xi Jingping, was an early honorary principal of Shandan Bailie School, and in his earlier years was also a young military officer in Shuangshipu at the time when Rewi Alley established the first Bailie School there. However, he and Rewi did not meet until later.
The statue was unveiled in September 2016, by Dave Bromwich, NZCFS President, Liu Xiaoyun, now party secretary of Shandan County, a Zhangye government leader, and Mr Xi Yuanping (the young brother of President Xi Jinping, and both are sons of Xi Zhongxun).
The following is a translation of the inscription on the rear of the statue (readable on leaving the main building of the Bailie International Vocational College):
“Late Mr. Rewi Alley came to China in 1927. Together with George Hogg he established a Bailie School in 1943 and created the educational philosophy of ‘Hands and mind together, create and analyse‘.
Regarding Shandan as his second home, Rewi promoted the integration of oriental and western culture. Mr. Xi Zhongxun, one of the predecessors of the proletarian revolution in China, cultivated a profound friendship with Rewi, put a high premium on Bailie’s vocational education and he took the responsibility of being the honorary principal of Shandan Bailie School for fourteen years.”
Rewi Alley’s China > Beijing > Shanghai > Hubei province > Shaanxi province > Gansu province > Shandan > Lanzhou > Zhangye >
This article is based on a report by Jane Furkert of her work: ‘An Independent Travellers’ Guide to Rewi Alley Locations in China, 2016’, that was funded by the Rewi Alley Friendship and Exchange (RAFE) Fund.
