On the morning of July 17, 2024, a batch of precious books bearing great historical and cultural significance was donated to the Sun Yat-sen University Museum in celebration of the university’s centennial anniversary.

Initiated by Professors Chen Youzhao and Wu Lezheng from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, the donation included the belongings of Professors Chen Yaozhen and Mao Wenshu, with some books dating back over a hundred years. Professors Chen and Wu had previously donated collections of books and items belonging to these ophthalmology pioneers in two batches, and today they donated the third batch. These books not only witnessed the development of ophthalmology in China and other countries, but also carry rich heritage from all forerunning scholars.

Professor Chen Yaozhen, the first director of the Eye Hospital of Sun Yat-sen Medical College, and Professor Mao Wenshu, the first director of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, devoted themselves to the development of modern ophthalmology in China, making remarkable contributions to the field. Both Professor Chen and Professor Mao had a deep love for reading and collecting books. Among the donated books, some were brought by Professor Chen Yaozhen and the teachers and students of Qilu University all the way from Jinan, Shandong Province to Chengdu, Sichuan Province after the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Professor Chen carried two iron boxes filled with ophthalmology books and other items wherever he went, even protecting them during air raids. These precious books, with nearly a century of history, witnessed the turbulent journey of the development of ophthalmology in China.

In June 2023, Professors Chen Youzhao and Wu Lezheng, driven by their deep affection for their alma mater Sun Yat-sen University and the hope to pass on the heritage of the older generation of ophthalmologists like Profs Chen Yaozhen and Mao Wenshu, initiated the "museum-hospital cooperation" project between Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center and the Sun Yat-Sen University Museum, aiming to organize and study the belongings of Professors Chen Yaozhen and Mao Wenshu. Vice President Xie Shi of Sun Yat-sen University and Professor Lin Haotian, Director of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center attached great importance to the project and offered support. Multiple discussions were held on the donation and arrangement of the books and other items. On November 26, 2023, at the "Together Being Lighthouse (TBL)"-Silk Road Forum on Digital Innovation for Health at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, the " Inheritance for Eye Health" series of events with the themes of university anniversary celebration and alumni gathering were held. Professors Chen Youzhao and Wu Lezheng, daughter and son-in-law of Professors Chen Yaozhen and Mao Wenshu respectively, formally donated the books and other items of Professors Chen Yaozhen and Mao Wenshu to the Sun Yat-sen University Museum.

The donated books include the "American Encyclopedia of Ophthalmology", "Transactions of the Ophthalmological Society of the United Kingdom", "System of Ophthalmology" and "Text-book of Ophthalmology", many of which are out of print, with the oldest book published 110 years ago. Professor Wu Lezheng remarked: "This year marks the centennial of Sun Yat-sen University. These books have also weathered a century of vicissitudes. We hope that by donating these books, the baton of rigorous academic research can be passed down from generation to generation."

Leaders of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center attached great importance to the event. Party Secretary Li Qiang visited the home of Professors Chen Youzhao and Wu Lezheng to witness the book donation process. He expressed deep admiration for Professors Chen Yaozhen and Mao Wenshu’s love of and care for books, and extended heartfelt gratitude to Professors Chen Youzhao and Wu Lezheng for their generous donation.

 Currently, the donated books are being gradually categorized and organized. These books not only include ophthalmology-related books in both Chinese and English, covering Western and traditional Chinese medicine, but also books of literature, science, dictionaries, and many rare manuscripts, notes, and historical documents. Each book carries the memory of history and the wisdom of academia, holding significant value for the study of the history of Chinese ophthalmology and the academic history of ophthalmology at Sun Yat-sen University.

The wide range of book categories and the depth of research presented in the notes of Professors Chen Yaozhen and Mao Wenshu's collections earned the heartfelt admiration of the cataloging team.

Calling for donations in celebration of the Centennial of Sun Yat-sen University and the Sixtieth Anniversary of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center

2024 marks the centennial of Sun Yat-sen University; in 2025, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University will celebrate its sixtieth anniversary. Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center extends a sincere invitation to all alumni and society to donate books, materials, or establish special funds to support the development of medical, educational, research, and blindness prevention and treatment activities. We also look forward to more charitable contributions from society joining the "Centennial Celebration · Bright Journey across Hundred Cities" public welfare activities. Let us take concrete actions to inherit the spirit and wisdom of our forebearers, bring light and hope to more patients, and contribute to the country's medical and health undertakings!

Donation Contact Information:

Phone: 020-66686993

Email: cpo@gzzoc.com

For matters not covered in this notice, please contact the Party Office of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University.