Li Yundi shares with piano students on tips to keep their ideals and dreams for music alive at Yunnan Normal University in Kumnimg on Wednesday. Photo provided to China Daily

The Yunnan Normal University is where the Southwest Associated University, combining Peking University, Tsinghua University and Nankai University, was based during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45). In 1945, the universities moved back to their original campuses in Beijing and Tianjin.

This year saw the four schools jointly host a series of lectures by celebrities who share a connection with the Southwest Associated University. Li's grandfather, a Yunnan native, studied at the SAU and Li says the trip was a chance to look for his roots in the province.

After the lecture, Li was awarded a guest professorship at the university and he promised to offer more lectures to benefit young students in the future.

Li visited SAU's old campus and paid homage to those who sacrificed their lives to further the scientific research and musical creation of the country.

"Our generation has to maintain the traditions and also find innovative ways. The old SAU campus reminded us to pursue a revival of China as the country has suffered too much in the past century," Li says. "For me, the piano is the way to win respect at international contests and I hope all the students can fulfill their goals with what they have learned."

Li Yingqing and Guo Anfei contributed to the story.

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