[Photo from okzhuhai.com]

Yung Wing (Rong Hong, 1828-1912), born in Nanping Village, Nanping Town, dubbed “father of Chinese overseas studies”, a pioneer and explorer of China’s modernization movement, was the first Chinese to study in the US. 

He was granted an honorary Doctorate of Laws by Yale in 1876, and had dedicated himself to the Westernization Movement of China throughout his life. He promoted the introduction of western learning to the East, took part in the reform led by K'ang Yu-wei (Kang Youwei) and Liang Ch'i-ch'ao (Liang Qichao) and supported the Revolution of 1911. In 1870, he initiated the Chinese Educational Mission (CEM) and organized 120 young students to study in the US, garnering government support to send abroad the youngsters who would grow up to modernize China.      

Yung Wing Memorial Hall occupies the former site of Zhenxian School. Established in 1871 with 500 taels of silver raised by personages following the example of Yung Wing, Zhenxian School is one of the earliest private schools in Guangdong, and Yung Wing was honorary schoolmaster. 

Address: West Street (Xi Da Jie), Nanping Town, Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

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