The Zhengyin Academy in Quanzhou, a city in East China's Fujian province, was unveiled on May 30, becoming the first academy to be put in use in Quanzhou since the city launched its program of reconstructing the structures.

The unveiling ceremony for the Zhengyin Academy in Quanzhou takes place on May 30. [Photo by Lin Kaiyu/xinhuanet.com]

From the end of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) to the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), a total of 73 academies were built in Quanzhou, but with the passage of time, many have disappeared.

The Zhengyin Academy originated from a phonetic training class set up by the royal court in the early Qing Dynasty.

Ten schoolchildren in traditional costumes recite nursery rhymes at Zhengyin Academy in Quanzhou. [Photo by Lin Kaiyu/xinhuanet.com]

After its reconstruction, the academy will lead the new trend of reading in Quanzhou, and create a universal reading space for the public.

In recent years, Quanzhou has been promoting the development and innovation of its ancient academies, turning them into modern new academies and injecting new vitality, functions and formats.

At present, many ruined ancient academies in Quanzhou have completed reconstruction work. The Meishi Academy, Baohai'an Academy and Xinshan Academy either are undergoing reconstruction or have plans for reconstruction.