January 12, 2012
Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing, China, Honors SGI President
On January 12, 2012, Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE), Beijing, China, presented an honorary professorship to Daisaku Ikeda, SGI president and Soka University founder, in recognition of his longstanding contributions to Sino-Japanese friendship. The conferral ceremony was held by proxy at the CUFE campus auditorium. University Council Chair Hu Shuxiang entrusted the award, signed by University President Wang Guangqian, to Soka Gakkai Vice General Director Hiromasa Ikeda, who accepted it on his father's behalf.
Established in Beijing in 1949, CUFE is one of China's leading comprehensive universities. Some 15,000 students--including 300 international students--are enrolled in its 30 schools, departments and research centers, which provide advanced instruction in law, arts, sciences and engineering, with particular emphasis on economics and management. CUFE also offers continuing education and online education. A new 80-hectare campus is currently under construction in Shahe, Changping District.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. Mr. Ikeda first proposed the restoration of ties in 1968 at a time when the two countries remained irreconcilable over Cold War differences and the Japanese occupation of Manchuria in World War II, exposing him to severe criticism in Japan. The CUFE academic honor is the 106th presented from Chinese institutions since 1984.
Chair Hu (4th from right) entrusts the certificate of honorary professor to Hiromasa Ikeda (5th from left)
[Adapted from an article in the January 14, 2012, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan]
