On April 9, a special ceremony took place at the Siyuan Auditorium, Hainan University (HNU), where Dato Lim Chiew Ah, President of the Federation of Hainan Association Malaysia, donated a cherished painting to HNU. Fu Xuanguo, Secretary of CPC HNU Committee, along with other senior HNU leaders, including Tan Yong and Yang Zhixin, were in attendance.

A meeting before the donation ceremony (Photo by Zhuansun Ziheng)

Dato Lim heaped praise on the achievements of HNU as a “Double First-Class” university in China. As a long-standing supporter of HNU, she highlighted a significant moment from February 9, 1960, when Premier Zhou Enlai inscribed the encouraging words: “Build a Career in Danzhou, Serve the Development of Hainan” after visiting South China College of Tropical Crops, the predecessor of HNU. Out of deep respect for Premier Zhou and affection for her ancestral home, Dato Lim decided to donate a treasured painting by renowned artist Fu Hua. She hopes this artwork titled “A Toast to Premier Zhou” will inspire the faculty and students to remember the distinguished leader’s expectation and strive for new accomplishments.

As an old friend of HNU, Dato Lim has led delegations to visit HNU multiple times and enlisted much support from the Malaysian Hainanese community to support the growth of HNU. On behalf of HNU, Fu Xuanguo expressed heartfelt gratitude to their long-lasting support and ensured that HNU will take good care of the donation and make it play a motivational role.

Fu Xuanguo conferring a donation certificate on Dato Lim Chiew Ah

(Photo by Zhuansun Ziheng)

During the ceremony, Fu Xuanguo presented Dato Lim with a donation certificate. Tan Yong signed the donation agreement with Dato Lim and formally accepted the painting on behalf of HNU.

The event was also attended by heads of relevant departments. This generous donation by Dato Lim not only enriches the HNU’s cultural heritage but also strengthens the enduring ties between HNU and the global Hainanese community.

Dato Lim Chiew Ah and Fu Hua displaying the painting “A Toast to Premier Zhou” during a reframing commission in Shanghai, January 2017. (Photo courtesy of Dato Lim Chiew Ah)

About the Artist and the Painting:

Born in 1926 in Peking (now Beijing), Fu Hua, originally named Fu Jiwu, was a Manchu artist. He was a member of the China Artists Association (CAA), a painter at the Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy, and an advisor to the Haimo Painting Society of the Shanghai Artists Association.

In 1979, to commemorate the third anniversary of Premier Zhou Enlai’s passing, Fu Hua created the painting “A Toast to Premier Zhou”. In the artwork, a willow tree with newly sprouting buds leans across the upper right edge, accompanied by bold brush strokes that bring a Shaoxing Wine jar to life. Next to it sits a rustic blue-and-white ceramic bowl. An inscription runs horizontally along the bottom, reading:

“Spring breezes once again green the willows of Jiangnan (the region south of the Yangtze River); I toast a bowl of wine to Premier Zhou.”

March 5, 1979, in remembrance of Premier Zhou – painted by Fu Hua in tears.”

The inscription not only produces a balancing effect on the painting but also, together with the willow, traditional liquor jar, and ceramic bowl, evokes poignant memories of Premier Zhou, who was born in Huai’an and whose ancestral home was Shaoxing. Through these simple yet powerful symbols, the artist expresses enduring remembrance for the great leader. The painting is noted for its minimalist composition, vigorous brush strokes, innovative concept, and strong emotional resonance. It also exudes a rich sense of rustic charm. By infusing personal feeling and vivid imagination into the depicted objects, Fu Hua captured the collective sentiment of the people’s profound love of Premier Zhou. The painting was reproduced in numerous newspapers and magazines at that time.

Representative work of Fu Hua: A Toast to Premier Zhou.

(Photo by Zhuansun Ziheng)

Translated by Han Yunsheng

Proofread by Kuang Xiaowen, Yang Jie