On July 28, 2016, the launching ceremony of the “Center for Global Large Rivers” jointly established by SUSTech and Peking University was held at No. 401 Conference Room of the Administration Building in SUSTech. Guo Yurong, Chairwoman of SUSTech University Council, Chen Shiyi, President of SUSTech, Academician Ni Jinren of Peking University, Wang Lixin, Director-General of Bureau of Water Resources of Shenzhen Municipality, Liu Shui, Chairman of Shenzhen Techand Ecology & Environment Co., Ltd., attended the ceremony. Zheng Chunmiao, Dean of School of Environmental Science and Engineering, chaired the launching ceremony.

At the ceremony, Guo Yurong expressed her congratulation on the establishment of the institute. She hoped that while carrying out research on major rivers worldwide, the institute would also study the small rivers in Shenzhen, help the Shenzhen Municipal Government to “regulate water resources and improve water quality”, and provide scientific support for the government in making decisions concerning the governance of water pollution, control of water loss and soil erosion, as well as pollution control.

President Chen Shiyi hoped the institute would develop into an international base for collaborative research on rivers led by China and bring out significant achievements with global influence.

Later, President Chen Shiyi and Wang Lixin unveiled the plaque of SUSTech-PKU “Center for Global Large Rivers”. The institute would be jointly charged by Academician Ni Jinren and Prof. Zheng Chunmiao. It is reported that the institute would set up an international steering committee and invite top experts in river studies around the world as members of the committee.