Shanghai Jiao Tong University celebrated its 130th anniversary with a ceremony held at its Minhang campus on Wednesday, bringing together guests from the Ministry of Education and the Shanghai municipal government, and leaders and scholars from over 130 universities worldwide.

The event was also attended by representatives from the university's strategic partners, descendants of notable contributors to the school's development, former and current university leaders, as well as faculty and student representatives.

In his speech, Xiong Sihao, a member of the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Education and vice-minister, urged the university to make new and more significant contributions to building China into a strong nation in education, science, and talent.

Ding Kuiling, president of the university, highlighted the university's strategic vision as it stands at this historic milestone. He emphasized the need for the university to become a hub for exceptional talent through long-term planning, to make original and leading contributions through proactive actions, and to foster an open and integrated environment with a global perspective.

A statue of Qian Xuesen, the pioneer of China's space program and an alumnus from the class of 1934 at the university, was unveiled at the campus on Tuesday. The pedestal is inscribed with Qian's message to his alma mater: "In the 21st century, (the faculty shall) strive to build SJTU into a world-class university."

Ding said at the anniversary celebration, "SJTU aims to be among the leading world-class universities by 2035, and to join the ranks of the world's top universities by 2050."