Dongbei (Northeast) University in Liaoning Province plans to build a memorial hall for General ZhangXueliang (1898-2001), a former president of the school.

In December 1936, Zhang collaborated with the Communist Party of China to force Chiang Kai-shek, who was then head of state, to wage war against the invading Japanese troops. Zhang was later put under house arrest by Chiang.

In 1928, Zhang became president of the university, and during his incumbency, the university was built into one of the best in the country and one of the major educational and research centers in the northeast.

Construction of Zhang's memorial hall is expected to be completed by April 26, 2003, the school's 80th founding anniversary.

(People's Daily May 19, 2002)