As we bid farewell to the old and embrace the new, we extend our warmest greetings and best wishes to the hardworking faculty and staff on the front lines, the ambitious students of Xiangya, the vast community of alumni dedicated to our alma mater and societal service, and all those who care and support the development of Xiangya School of Medicine.

Time marks the steady steps, and the years carve out our journey. In 2023, we step into a year crucial for implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, a key year for the “14th Five-Year Plan”, and an important year for the directives of the Fourth Party Congress of the School. Over the past year, guided by the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee and the helm of the school’s party committee, Xiangya School of Medicine has sailed through challenges, making significant achievements in various aspects such as Party building, discipline development, talent cultivation, and social services.

In the past year, we laid a solid foundation of belief, uniting the red forces, and boldly advancing under the leadership of the Party. In 2023, the Party Committee of Xiangya School of Medicine considers the theme education on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a significant political task. The leadership team focused on advancing high-quality development in the field of medicine, studying, researching, implementing, and solving problems simultaneously. This approach facilitated progress in our endeavors, planning, and the effective realization of high-quality development in the field of medicine. The Party Committee of Xiangya School of Medicine was honored with the title of “Advanced Grassroots Party Organization” for the years 2021-2023, and the Youth League Committee was awarded the title of "May Fourth Red Flag Youth League Committee," firmly establishing a red foundation.

In the past year, we adhered to the “four orientations”, broadening our academic horizons, climbing disciplinary peaks, and aiming at forefront directions to outline a blueprint. In 2023, Xiangya School of Medicine completed and released the "Development Plan for High-Quality Development of Medical Fields at Central South University" and its implementation measures. We led the organization of the medical discipline group construction and completed the “Development Plan for Clinical Medicine Discipline at Central South University and its Implementation Measures”, continuously elevating the overall level of medical disciplines. In the 2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), Biomedical Engineering, Nursing, and Pharmacy entered the global top 100. In the 2022 China Medical Science Academy’s Technology and Value Ranking, Xiangya School of Medicine achieved a comprehensive ranking in the top 10 nationwide for the first time!

In the past year, we upheld the initial mission of educating for the Party and nurturing talents for the country, dedicating our efforts to cultivate pillars of medicine and excelling in teaching material competitions. In 2023, the project “Unity of Knowledge and Action: Exploration and Practice of a New Model for Excellent Medical Doctor Training” received the first prize for national teaching achievements. Sixteen medical textbooks edited by our faculty were included in the second batch of “14th Five-Year Plan” textbooks by Science Press. Nine medical courses were approved as the second batch of national first-class undergraduate courses, contributing to the creation of high-quality teaching resources. Initiatives such as the “Chenxi Project”, “Hongyan Project”, “Zhiyuan Project”, and “Feifan Project” progressed in an orderly manner, with students achieving substantial results in major competitions. In the ninth National College Students Basic Medical Innovation Research and Experimental Design Forum, they won four gold awards. In the China International “Internet+” University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, they secured one silver award. In the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition (iGEM), they won three silver awards. One undergraduate student was named the Annual Person of the Year at Central South University, highlighting our achievements in moral education and talent cultivation. In this year, Xiangya School of Medicine’s 1980 alumnus, Professor Ma Jun, and 1978 alumnus, Professor Wang Jian’an, were successfully elected as academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, representing outstanding examples of Xiangya’s high standards and strict requirements in nurturing high-quality medical talents over the years.

In the past year, we practiced social responsibility, shouldering global missions, and advancing collaborative creation and sharing of wisdom. In 2023, Xiangya School of Medicine added Hunan Cancer Hospital and Hunan Children's Hospital as non-directly affiliated hospitals, further enhancing our capacity to serve society. We actively participated in international medical education governance, joining as founding members of the China-UK Medical Education Alliance and China-Germany Medical Education Alliance. We also engaged as governing units in the “Belt and Road” International Medical Education Alliance, China-ASEAN University Medical Alliance, and South Asia-Southeast Asia Medical Education and Healthcare Alliance, contributing Xiangya’s wisdom to the world’s medical education development.

As the red flags flutter in the wind, and the resplendent years sing like a melody, the charm of Xiangya Medicine is the result of each person’s careful strokes, and the triumphs of Xiangya Medicine are a symphony composed by each person's dedication. Here, we express our highest gratitude to everyone who supports the development of Xiangya School of Medicine and contributes to the medical cause.

Looking back on the journey, our initial aspirations stand firm. Looking forward to the future, the road ahead is broad. In 2024, the 110th anniversary of Xiangya School of Medicine at Central South University and a crucial year for implementing the “Development Plan for High-Quality Development of Medical Fields at Central South University” will unfold. We will continue to closely unite around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, raise high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, fully implement the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, uphold the spirit of being “open-minded, courageous, diligent, cautious, sincere, loving, humble, and incorruptible”, continue to educate for the Party and nurture talents for the country. With rock-solid confidence, a sense of urgency, and unwavering perseverance, we will propel Xiangya School of Medicine to new heights, making new contributions to the national health and healthcare cause!

Heartfelt wishes for the prosperity of our great motherland! Best wishes for the continued brilliance of Xiangya School of Medicine at Central South University! May all students, faculty, and alumni have smooth and successful endeavors!