Chinese archaeologist donates millions to alma mater

Renowned Chinese archaeologist Fan Jinshi has donated 10 million yuan ($1.45 million) to her alma mater Peking University to promote the study of Dunhuang on Thursday, which was also the 125th anniversary of the university's founding.

An education foundation named after her was set up to cultivate researchers for the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Gansu province, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The money came from awards she won previously and her personal savings.

Born in 1938, Fan graduated from the university's history department in 1963 and started work in Dunhuang. She has made protecting and researching the grottoes her lifelong passion. She is the honorary president of Dunhuang Academy and has been dubbed the "daughter of Dunhuang".

She was awarded the Lui Che Woo Prize in 2019, with had a cash award of HK$20 million. She donated half to Dunhuang Academy. In 2020, she won HK$1 million after receiving the Ho Leung Ho Lee Prize for Scientific and Technological Achievement.

Fan said her award money must be used to promote social development.

"Money earned should be spent in the right way. People cannot only think of themselves," she said. "Hopefully the setting of the foundation can help promote Dunhuang studies at the university, so it can elevate cultural confidence and strength."