Shi Ruoxu (center) [Photo provided to China Daily]

Gong Yu, the Party secretary of the academy, said it is vital to inherit the legacy of esteemed educators in contemporary theater arts education. "It is the academy's fundamental task to strengthen moral standard and foster talents. This is a fine tradition of the Chinese theater culture."

Apart from the symposium, the series of commemoration events included a photo exhibition and a cooperation project with the municipal government of Binzhou. In April, a Chinese theater arts education center was established in Binzhou, with a statue of Shi unveiled at the center.

Pan Qing, the vice-mayor of the municipal government of Binzhou, expressed his hope in the further and deeper cooperation with the academy, to inherit the spirit of Shi, work for opera education, and preserve cultural heritages.

Shi Ruoxu [Photo provided to China Daily]