A commemorative sculpture honoring the esteemed academician couple, Xu Guangxian and Gao Xiaoxia, was unveiled in the West Wing of the Sanjiang Campus of Jiangxi University of Science and Technology (JXUST).
The unveiling ceremony witnessed the presence of their daughter, Ms. Xu Fang, alongside distinguished guests. These included Professor Yan Chunhua, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and a former student of the couple; key figures from the rare earth industry and research institutions; and university leadership including Secretary of the JXUST Party Committee Yang Bin.
In his address, Yang Bin paid tribute to the couple's legendary lives, highlighting their immense contributions to China's rare earth sector and their cherished narrative of shared aspirations. He emphasized that the sculpture, along with the naming of the inaugural "Xiaguang Class" for rare earth innovation, serves as a lasting tribute to their legacy. Yang Bin expressed the university's commitment to inheriting the "Xiaguang Spirit"—a dedication to scientific research for national advancement—as it strives towards its goal of becoming a world-class university in rare earth and critical mineral studies.
Professor Yan Chunhua shared heartfelt memories of his mentorship under Xu Guangxian, recalling not only profound academic guidance but also a deep-seated ethos of perseverance and patriotism. He encouraged the young scholars of the "Xiaguang Class" to draw inspiration from this spirit, to understand the strategic importance of rare earths, and to dedicate their own pursuits to the nation's development.
Ms. Xu Fang, representing the family, expressed profound gratitude to the university. She reflected on her parents' deep connection to Jiangxi and their aspiration to bolster the region's rare earth industry. She shared their guiding principles for research and education, emphasizing the necessity of both broad perspective and intense focus. Seeing rare earths become a pillar of national strength, she said, would have been her parents' greatest reward.
The moment culminated as Ms. Xu Fang, Academician Yan Chunhua, and other dignitaries jointly unveiled the sculpture. As the crimson veil was drawn back, the dignified visages of the academicians were revealed, met with respectful applause from attendees.
Faculty representatives and the first cohort of the "Xiaguang Class" paid their respects by presenting a floral tribute to the sculpture, symbolizing the enduring legacy of scientific dedication and national service left by Xu Guangxian and Gao Xiaoxia.
