On 18 December 2023, is the 135th anniversary of the birth of Professor Ling Daoyang, one of the founders of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, a pioneer of modern forestry science in China, and a pioneer of Tree Planting Day in China. Today, nearly 60 leaders, alumni and guests from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and various sectors of the community gathered at Ling College to participate in the "Trees for People - 135th Birth Anniversary of Prof. Ling Daoyang", to express their deepest gratitude for the glorious life of Prof. Ling Daoyang, and to recall the old days spent at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. 

Professor Zhu Shiping, Vice-President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen; Mr Ruan Jiancong, associate vice president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen; Professor Cong Wang, master of Shaw College; Mr Ling Zhenzhi, general manager of Shenzhen Baiwai Education Group; Mr Wang Haiqiang, headmaster of Shenzhen Baiwai Education Group; Professor Huang Nien-Hsin, associate dean of Chung Chi College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong; Professor Deng Si-Ying, associate dean of United College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong; Professor Gu Yang, master of Diligentia College; Professor Chen Yongqin, master of Muse College; Professor Zheng Shaoyuan, master of Minerva College, Professor LU Zongli, master of Ling College, Professor Simon Pun, associate college master of Harmonia College, more than 10 members of the Board of Trustees of Chung Chi College, more than 40 alumni of Chung Chi College and United College, as well as friends of Ling College and the media, were present at the event.

Professor Ling Daoyang served as the president of Chung Chi College and the master of United College, playing a pivotal role in the establishment of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Sixty years later, the university returned to Professor Ling's hometown of Longgang, Shenzhen, where it has flourished and expanded.

On July 20, 2022, President Xu Yangsheng of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) officially announced, following a university resolution, that the fifth college of the university would be named "Ling College." This naming carries profound significance; as President Xu expressed, it is "a meaningful coincidence and a historical fate." This beautiful connection continues to weave a remarkable narrative, representing not only the historical legacy of The Chinese University of Hong Kong between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, but also the Ling family's enduring commitment to education and nurturing talent for the nation. President Xu noted that from Professor Ling's advocacy for establishing Tree Planting Day in China to Mr. Ling Guoqiang, chairman of Baihe Holdings Group, donating to the establishment of Ling College, the cultural heritage of the Ling family in Buji has been passed down for a century, thriving continuously in the Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Around nine o'clock in the morning, the guests came to a stop in front of the Daoyang Gate. During his tenure as the President of Chung Chi College, Professor Ling Daoyang wrote the couplets on the college's archway. When Ling College was established, the original archway was reproduced individually and named Daoyang Gate—a mentor, a gateway linking the two institutions' destinies.

At the beginning of the event, Professor Zhu Shiping, associate vice president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, welcomed all participants on behalf of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and in particular, welcomed alums of Chung Chi College and United College to join in this solemn commemoration of the 135th birth anniversary of Professor Ling Daoyang. Professor Chu recalled Mr Ling's contributions to the Chinese Tree Planting Day and The Chinese University of Hong Kong and his tenure at Chung Chi College and United College. He emphasised that Professor Ling's educational philosophy profoundly influenced the whole-person training of his students, providing a solid foundation for their academic growth and character building. At the same time, Professor Zhu was touched by the family style inherited from the Ling family, which laid a solid foundation for Professor Ling's career. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Baihe Holdings Group for its care and support of Ling College, which enables the college to provide students with a high-quality learning environment and opportunities for whole-person development.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, are one brand and two campuses, and they are the same. At today's commemorative event, Professor Zhu also shared a small poem he wrote to link up the deep friendship between the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen.

Professor LU Zongli, master of Ling College, delivered a speech on behalf of Ling College. Professor LU began his speech with a short review of Professor Ling's life and then introduced the history of Ling College. 

In 1888, Professor Ling Daoyang was born into a humble pastor's family in the present day Buji area of Shenzhen. His challenging childhood as a laborer forged his resilient spirit and compassionate heart. Overcoming numerous hardships during turbulent times, he earned a Master’s degree in Forestry from Yale University in 1914, becoming the first Asian to receive this degree from Yale.

After graduating, he returned to China and assisted Dr. Sun Yat-sen in drafting the forestry section of his national governance outline, advocating for "Forestry to Save the Nation." He articulated the view that "the rise and fall of forestry is linked to political prosperity and decline, the well-being of the people, and the strength of the nation." Additionally, he played a key role in establishing the Chinese Forestry Society, serving as its first president.

While residing in Qingdao, Professor Ling helped the Beiyang government reclaim sovereignty over the city from Japan. He served as the director of the Jiaozhou Agricultural and Forestry Affairs Office, planning and developing public parks, transforming the city into a scenic tourism and health resort. He also founded the Qingdao Times and established Qingdao University.

In 1928, after Japan occupied Qingdao, Professor Ling was forced to leave and took a teaching position at Peking University. Subsequently, he was assigned to the Yellow River Conservancy Commission and the Forestry and Land Reclamation Design Committee, where he led soil and water conservation experiments in the upper reaches of the Yellow River and development projects in Northwest China. He was a pioneer in introducing the concept of "soil and water conservation," advocating for a collaborative approach between forestry and water conservancy projects. His contributions left a significant mark on the history of modern forestry and forestry education in China.

Established in 2022, Ling College is a short institution, but it has the unique advantage of being located in Longgang, Shenzhen, the hometown of Professor Ling Daoyang. It should take the responsibility of tapping into the profound historical and cultural lineage left by the Ling family, inheriting the immortal legacy of Professor Ling Daoyang, passing on the excellent Chinese culture, and bridging the East and the West in academic thinking. Moreover, it should build bridges for exchanges between young people in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Master LU said that with the enthusiastic help of Chung Chi College, United College, public figures and scholars, Ling College has collected many historical materials and images related to Professor Ling, which will then be compiled into a book and published for the world's benefit.

Mr Ling Zhenzhi, General Manager of Shenzhen Baiwai Education Group, then took the stage to deliver a speech. As a descendant of the Ling family, he expressed his commitment to being guided by Professor Ling's spirit and supporting Ling College in nurturing all-rounded talents and nurturing the next generation with morality, wisdom, and comprehensive literacy for society. Mr Ling also emphasised at the event the importance of Ling College's commitment to the heritage and development of whole-person education. He mentioned that Ling College shares the same philosophy with Baiwai Education Group and will work together to promote a comprehensive and diversified education system in the future. Finally, Mr Ling thanked the guests for their support and care for Ling College, and he will continue to carry on Professor Ling's mission of education and dedicate himself to the college's development and the students' growth.

Professor Ling Daoyang was the second president of Chung Chi College from 1955 to 1960 and the second master of United College from 1960 to 1963, and he devoted himself to the cause of higher education in Hong Kong. In memory of Professor Ling, Professor Wong Nim Yan, vice-president of Chung Chi College, and Professor Tang Sze-wing, vice-president of United College, he presented a commemorative banner to commemorate the event.

Professor Pak Wah Leung, an alumnus of United College from the Class of '72, also presented his memoir "When the East Wind Rises Again: My Half-Century Journey Through American Scholarship and Culture" as a souvenir to Ling College as a token of his high esteem for Professor Ling.

Professor Deng Siying, vice president of United College, Professor Yung Kung Hing, Class of 1959 alumni of Chung Chi College, and Professor Bi Pei Xi, Class of 1972 alumni of Chung Chi College, spoke in remembrance as their representatives. Professor Deng expressed his gratitude to Professor Ling College for his touching contribution to the development of the two colleges and sent his best wishes for the development of Ling College.

Professor Yung recalled his experience as a student when Professor Ling Daoyang was master of Chung Chi. It was because of Professor Ling's love and care that Professor Yung returned to the Chinese University of Hong Kong after he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, to carry on Professor Ling's legacy.

In his speech, Professor Bi mentioned Professor Ling Daoyang as one of the most essential masters of Chung Chi and shared the story of his insistence on the naming of Chung Chi College and his fight for the land for Chung Chi College, demonstrating his intellect and deep Chinese cultural background. Finally, he called on everyone to go forward and never back down, citing Professor Ling's love for American football as a backdrop.

Led by master LU Zongli, all the guests stood up. They recited the couplet written by Professor Ling Daoyang: "“崇高惟博爱，本天地立心，无间东西，沟通学术；基础在育才，当海山胜境，有怀抱与，陶铸人群”，重温凌道扬教授的教诲（Noble but fraternity, this heaven and earth to establish the heart, no gap between the East and the West, communication of academics; the foundation of the foundation in the cultivation of talent, when the sea and the mountains to win the situation, there is the embrace and the crowd of ceramic casting）", to revisit the teachings of Professor Ling.

Afterwards, the officiating guests and all the guests went to the stage for the "Leaves into a Forest" ceremony. Dozens of leaves filled with blessings and memories were gathered on the backdrop of a large tree, forming a large tree with many leaves. The event was dedicated to the memory of Professor Ling, who left his legacy to The Chinese University of Hong Kong and its three colleges. With Professor Ling, Chung Chi College, United College and Ling College are closely connected and share the same goal of nurturing people. They are also determined to strengthen exchanges between Hong Kong and Mainland China and continue carrying forward the spirit of Professor Ling's "Dao" of nurturing people through trees.

After the ceremony, the alumni group toured Ling College and the Daoyang Memorial Garden on the campus of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. They then visited Ling Daoyang's former residence in Buji, Longgang. Daoyang Memorial Garden was established by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, to honor Professor Ling Daoyang's contributions to forestry in China and the university. Covering an area of 2,400 square meters, the garden features a statue of Professor Ling and is planted with the flowers and trees he cherished during his lifetime. Ling Daoyang's former residence, located in Laoxu Village, Buji Street, Longgang District, is a typical Hakka style building. Construction was initiated by his grandfather, Ling Qilian, in 1902. The residence is a two-story structure made of brick and wood, with gray brick and plain water walls.

The 135th anniversary of Professor Ling's birth has received a warm response from alumni and people from all walks of life, further highlighting Professor Ling's profound influence on the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. The high mountains can be admired in peace, and in this way, his noble spirit can be appreciated; Professor Ling's will and spirit will continue to inspire the new generation of educators and students to make more significant contributions to the cause of education!