On March 15th, the signing ceremony for the cooperation project on the exhibition and performance of the opera Qiuzi was held at Nanjing University of the Arts. The ceremony was attended by Gu Kaifu, Chairman of CASIA Foundation and alumnus of Nanjing University of the Arts; Li Jinjie, Project Commissioner for the CASIA Foundation in China; Chen Bing, Assistant to the Chairman of the Board of the CASIA Foundation; Lu Tie, Administrative Assistant for the CASIA Foundation in China; Yu Feng, Secretary of the Party Committee of Nanjing University of the Arts; Miao Yu and Lyu Shaoqing, Vice Presidents of NUA; along with heads of relevant functional departments and faculties. The ceremony was hosted by Lyu Shaoqing.

Yu Feng reflected on the previous exchanges with the CASIA Foundation in his speech, expressing gratitude for Mr. Gu's concern and support for his almamater and admiration for the foundation's contributions to public welfare. Yu Feng pointed out that the revival and performance of the opera Qiuzi provided an opportunity for the students of Nanjing University of the Arts to present Chinese opera and music culture  to the world, calling for peace on the world stage through the form of art.

Yu Feng stressed that Qiuzi needs further refinement in many aspects. During the  process, it is important to integrate the current era's background and the available scientific and technological conditions to present a high-quality artistic masterpiece to the people worldwide. He mentioned organizing a special team, communicating with relevant superior departments in a timely manner to understand related policies, and ensuring mutual communication and understanding between both parties during the process. 

Lyu Shaoqing introduced the connection between Nanjing University of the Arts and Qiuzi. The opera Qiuzi, with a theme of the Anti-Japanese War, was composed by Huang Yuanluo, an alumnus of Nanjing University of the Arts, with lyrics by Zang Yunyuan, a former vice dean of the university, in 1939. From 2014 to 2015, after being revived by teachers and students of Nanjing University of the Arts, Qiuzi was performed at Nanjing University of the Arts, Nanjing Culture and Arts Center, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival . It appealed to both domestic and international audiences not to forget history, to cherish peace, and to oppose war through the form of art. The 2025 performance of this project will have special significance as it marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Gu Kaifu, in his speech, stated that the intention to cooperate with Nanjing University of the Arts to revive and perform Qiuzi in the United States had essentially been reached in 2017, but the conditions were not yet mature at that time. He looks forward to both parties actively starting preparation work after the agreement is signed, aiming to successfully complete the performance in the United States by the summer of 2025. Gu Kaifu also expressed his concern and support for the high-level university construction of his almamater. (Department of Development Planning and Social Cooperation)