Presidents from 13 universities released the Harbin Declaration of the Association of University Presidents of China during a forum held recently in Harbin, Heilongjiang province.

The represented universities at the forum include Peking University, Tsinghua University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanjing University, Zhejiang University, University of Science and Technology of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the University of Macau.

The Annual Presidents Forum of Annual Presidents Meeting on Building World-class Universities, which Harbin Institute of Technology hosted, kicked off on Friday in Harbin, attracting the universities' presidents to discuss the innovative paths for the development of world-class universities.

At the forum, they issued the following declaration:

Shoulder responsibilities bravely to serve the construction of a strong education nation. To build a strong education nation, higher education plays a leading role. As the first echelon of Chinese universities, we will firmly uphold the political, people-centered and strategic attributes of education. We will adhere to the fundamental prerequisite of "Chinese characteristics" while pursuing the excellence of "world-class" standards. By "promoting the integrated development of educational development, scientific innovation and talent cultivation", we will take the lead in proactive exploration and initiatives. Rooted in China and striving hand in hand to move to the forefront of world-class universities, we aim to vigorously support the construction of a strong education nation.

Keep the mission firmly in mind and cultivate top-notch innovative talents. As the country's development and national rejuvenation hinge on talent, we will fully implement the fundamental mission of fostering virtue through education and earnestly undertake the task of "cultivating talent for the Party and the nation". By thoroughly grasping the underlying principles of education and the logic of the intelligent civilization era, we will accelerate the exploration and construction of models for nurturing top-notch innovative talent. By jointly constructing and sharing high-level platforms and resources for talent cultivation, we will endeavor to establish a unique pathway for the independent cultivation of top-notch innovative talents.

Remain unwavering in determination to support the realization of high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology. A nation thrives when science and technology thrive, and a nation grows strong when science and technology grow strong. We will focus on the national strategies, bravely shoulder the important responsibilities of being the main force in basic research and the source of major scientific and technological breakthroughs, jointly build a consortium that serves the regional economic and social development, concentrate our efforts on promoting the in-depth integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, provide strong support for the efficient cultivation of new quality productive forces, and make educational contributions to the construction of Chinese path to modernization.

Embrace the world and work together to build a new pattern of opening up in education. China's development is inseparable from the world, and the world's prosperity also requires China. We will face the world and the future with broad minds and wide perspectives, gather the advantageous resources of the universities in the association, jointly respond to global challenges and solve the tasks of the times, jointly carry out the cultivation of world-class talents, jointly hold the World-Class University Presidents' Forum, jointly initiate and participate in international large-scale scientific programs, strengthen mutual learning, integration and exchanges with world-class universities and academic institutions, actively participate in global education governance, and contribute to the construction of important educational centers with global influence.

The National Education Conference has made systematic arrangements for accelerating the construction of a strong education nation in the new era and on the new journey, and issued a mobilization order for building a strong education nation. We will step forward on our own initiative, be capable of shouldering important responsibilities, be unwavering in the pursuit of excellence, and stay at the forefront. We will use the power of education to deeply plant the foundation for people's happiness and strengthen the foundation for the prosperity of the country with a strong education. We will strive to continuously present loyal answers in the construction of world-class universities with Chinese characteristics and as the first echelon on the new journey of building a strong education nation.