(August 26, 1953)
President Chen (2) and all comrades of the professors, assistant instructors, students, and staff of the Military Engineering Academy:
On the occasion of the opening of your academy, I extend to you my warm congratulations.
At this moment, I also express my heartfelt gratitude to the Soviet government and Soviet advisors who have ardently assisted us in planning and founding this academy!
The founding of the Military Engineering Academy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is of extremely great significance to our nation’s national defense enterprise. In order to build a modernized national defense, our Army, Air Force, and Navy must all possess sufficient mechanized equipment and facilities, and none of this can be separated from complex and specialized technology. What we urgently need today is a large number of people capable of mastering and commanding technology, and to enable our technology to undergo continuous improvement and progress. The founding of the Military Engineering Academy is precisely aimed at resolving this urgent and glorious task.
Learning from the Soviet Union—this is an excellent tradition in the history of our army building, and it should be so at all times and in every work department. This point holds even greater significance for your academy. We must learn the advanced scientific and technological knowledge of the Soviet Union, learn the rich experience of Soviet military engineering construction, learn the learning attitude and work attitude of the Soviet advisor comrades, and learn the high degree of patriotism and internationalist spirit of the Soviet advisor comrades. In study,
[1]
This is a directive written by Mao Zedong in the name of the Chairman of the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission of the Central People’s Government to the Military Engineering Academy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
[2]
President Chen refers to Chen Geng, President and concurrently Political Commissar of the Military Engineering Academy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.

one must be modest and sincere, and must not become complacent and arrogant upon learning a little.
Maintain and carry forward the glorious traditions of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, especially the spirit of wholeheartedly serving the people and the heroic spirit of self-sacrifice. This, in your academy as in the entire army, must be fully comprehended and must not be forgotten for a single moment.
I hope you will unite as one, run the academy well, respect the advisors, study diligently, and strive to fulfill the glorious task entrusted to you by the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission!
Chairman Mao Zedong
August 26, 1953