\j r-n. '•' -• ' a -"..,•- UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIESV " THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE TO SHANXI UNIVERSITY ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY Shanvi. 8 Mav 2002 It gives me great pleasure to send my greetings to Shanxi University on the occasion of its centennial. Your distinguished institution has a diverse student body, a faculty with a broad range of expertise, productive ties with universities in many other countries, and a strong commitment to research and inquiry that includes an international perspective. Graduates of the University have gone on to become members of the diplomatic corps, and in this and other fields have helped to promote closer contacts and better understanding between China and the world at large. Education is a key element in development, social progress and human freedom. That is why, at the Millennium Summit at the United Nations in September 2000 - the largest-ever gathering of world leaders - it was decided that one of the "Millennium Development Goals" should be to ensure that every child receives primary education and to eliminate gender disparity in education at all levels. We must continue to do our utmost to ensure that in an era of globalization, knowledge, too, can be globalized and reach across nations. For 100 years, Shanxi University has contributed to this vital endeavour by enriching minds and preparing young people for the responsibilities they will take on as the next generation of leaders both in their own communities and in the international arena. It is my pleasure to congratulate you on this anniversary and milestone, and to thank you for your support of the United Nations. JCofi A. Annan ROUTING SLIP FICHE DE TRANSMISSION TO: Kevin Kennedy A: FROM: f\ (\ DE: A. Ilitchev, APD/DPA ( . _ / ' Room No. - No de bureau S-3840C Extension - Poste 3-6821 Date: 29 January 2002 FOR ACTION POUR SUITE A DONNER FOR APPROVAL POUR APPROBATION FOR SIGNATURE POUR SIGNATURE FOR COMMENTS POUR OBSERVATIONS MAY WE DISCUSS? POURRIONS-NOUS EN PARLER? YOUR ATTENTION VOTRE ATTENTION AS DISCUSSED COMME CONVENU X AS REQUESTED SUITE A VOTRE DEMANDE RETURN RETOURNER FOR INFORMATION POUR INFORMATION MESSAGE: Your Request of 15 January 2002 re SG's Message to the Shanxi University The UN Resident Coordinator in Beijing has confirmed our lack of knowledge of any links between the Shanxi University and the UN. We share her view that a brief message from the Secretary-General on the occasion of this University's forthcoming centennial in May may be justified, given the efforts of this educational establishment in the West of China to catch up with more famous universities in the East. ftilt: *H ADD:580 WUCHENG ROAD.TAIYUAN.SHANXI.PR CHINA ZIP CODE:030006 FAX:(0351) 7011771 TEL:(0351) 7011933 7011595 7010222 E-mail:xqb ©sxu.edu.cn http://www.sxu100.sxu.edu.cn greatly appreciate your personality and integrity. May 8t h, 2002 will witness the centennial anniversary of the founding of Shanxi University and all the faculty members and students and I myself, holding you in great esteem, would like to sincerely invite you to attend our grand celebrations. But compared to your close concern about the safety of the people of the world, we really cannot bear bothering you. Nevertheless, to satisfy the great expectations of the faculty members and students, I, on behalf of the university, would like to ask you for a favor by writing an autograph for the university on this occasion which will be recorded in the history of Shanxi University and which will be an everlasting encouragement to all the scholars of Shanxi University from generation to generation. I greatly appreciate your attention! Yours respectfully, /• ,. -" / ~- -^-"t> <- i r ' - • -^ Guo Guichun President of Shanxi University ftfih: f>B • ADD.-580 WUCHENG ROAD.TAIYUAN.SHANXI.PR CHINA ZIP CODE.-030006 FAX:(0351) 7011771 TEL:(0351) 7011933 7011595 7010222 E-mail:xqb@sxu. edu.cn http://www.sxu100.sxu.edu.cn Dr. Kofi Annan Secretary General United Nations November 23, 2001 Dear Respected Secretary General, Dr. Kofi Annan, Greetings from Shanxi University, People's Republic of China. Since you became the Secretary General of the United Nations, you have been striving persistently and unremittingly to promote world peace and advancement, winning firm support and esteem of the peace-loving people the world over. Ours is Shanxi University of the People's Republic of China, one of the three earliest established national universities in China and one of the earliest registered Chinese universities to the United Nations. As a comprehensive university with liberal arts, sciences, engineering and management, the university has been regarding the studies on international problems as one of its missions, making persistent efforts in world development and advancement. Professor Mei Ruao in law at our university, once the First Chinese Judge at the World Court right after the Second World War, left a deep impression on the people of the world for what he did in the trials of the prisoners of war. Many of our graduates have been employed in diplomatic circles and have been working overseas as diplomats. All the faculty members and students at Shanxi University value highly of the prominent achievements you have made since you took the present position and.