The spirit of the May 4 Movement -- being patriotic, progressive, democratic and scientific -- still inspires contemporary Chinese youth.

A range of activities are being held in Beijing to commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the May 4 Movement.

On May 4, 1919, Beijing students took to the streets protesting against the then warlords-led government, which planned to sign a humiliating international pact. The demonstration triggered

widespread protests across the country. The movement also served as a campaign to fight against feudalism and promote democracy and science.

The Red Mansion, located in downtown Beijing, is one of the buildings which witnessed the start of the movement. It was recently reopened to visitors and now attracts a growing crowd, most of whom are youngsters.

Guo Junying, who is in charge of managing the Red Mansion, says interest in this historic building proves that the spirit of the May 4 Movement still has a profound influence in China, especially on its young people.

Descendants of May 4 Movement pioneers Cai Yuanpei, Li Dazhao and Lu Xun came to Beijing especially to visit the Red Mansion on the first day it was reopened and held discussions with students from universities and middle schools in the city.

The spirit of the May 4 Movement has long inspired young Chinese to be ambitious and progressive in their work and study.

Ten students and four classes from Beijing University were recently awarded "May 4" Medals, the highest honor for students at the university, for outstanding academic performances and moral standard.

Hu Jiulong of the Beijing University Committee of the Chinese Communist Youth League said the spirit of the May 4 Movement had present day relevance.

"China is experiencing a time of more openness and today's youth has a duty to make the country adapt well to the world in the fields of science and technology and the market economy, and eventually achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through study and work," said Hu.

Sources from Zhongguancun, a high-tech industrial park in northwest Beijing, say that a growing number of students who have studied overseas have returned and started up new ventures of own using their advanced skills and management expertise.

(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2002)