The statute of Shen Baozhen unveiled in his former residence

In commemoration of the 160th anniversary of the founding of the Fuzhou Shipbuilding Bureau, a ceremony was held on the morning of June 17 to unveil the statue of Shen Baozhen in his former residence in Fuzhou’s Three Lanes and Seven Alleys. Representatives from the Fujian Shipbuilding Industry Management Committee, the Fuzhou Municipal Bureau of Cultural Heritage and the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys Historical and Cultural Research Institute as well as descendants and relatives of Shen Baozhen gathered together to witness this significant moment.

The ancient Fuzhou Shipbuilding Bureau marks a significant and pioneering effort of China to develop coast defence, industry and education in modern times, and embodies the treasured historic memory that the Chinese nation had made unremitting efforts to become stronger. As one of the founding fathers of the shipbuilding industry, Shen Baozhen during his term of office worked relentlessly, stayed committed to his grand ambition of developing Fujian, making the shipbuilding industry thrive, cementing coast defence, and promoting modern science education, and took an exceptional forward-looking approach and a down-to-earth attitude to awaken Chinese people’s awareness of oceans and enlighten science education in modern times. His spirits of developing the shipbuilding sector, characterized by “pursuing continual self-renewal, blazing new trails in a pioneering spirit”, saw more than one century but grow increasingly notable, and has long become an important symbol of Fuzhou culture.

While all the guests stood watching the ceremony solemnly, special representatives slowly stepped forward, and jointly unveiled the statute of Shen Baozhen. As the silk cover dropped in slow motion, a lifelike statute of the wise man in a solemn and awe-inspiring atmosphere appeared in front of all the guests. The statute, which is characterized by exquisite workmanship as well as unity of form and spirit, will be put on permanent display in the former residence of Shen Baozhen, and co-exist harmoniously with the century-old house. This ensures that such historical relics can be utilized in a novel way.

Madam Shen Yuan, vice chairwoman of the Lin Zexu Foundation, made a speech on behalf of the descendants of Shen Baozhen. In the speech, she looked back with nostalgia to Shen Baozhen’s historical contributions and family-state sentiment. She stated in a solemn manner that the Shen family will keep in mind the aspirations of their ancestor, inherit and carry forward such passionate patriotism and courage to take on family and state responsibilities so that the shipbuilding spirit can be used for good to inspire successors in the new era to press forward with courage.

(Text/photo by Guan Shu, Yan Xiao, and Ye Cheng)