Hong Rong (1828- 19 12), whose real name is Chunfu, was born in Nanping Town, Xiangshan County (now Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province). Yung Hong's family was poor, and his father went to work in Macau. Seeing that the Ma Lixun school run by the British missionary in Macau was free, he sent his son to study. This is a foreign school run by western missionaries in China. Rong Hong studied in school for six years, reading the Bible, learning English, and learning some western humanistic thoughts and scientific knowledge. The principal at that time was an American named Samuel Brown, who graduated from Yale University.
1847, Brown left his job and returned to China, hoping to take some students to the United States to complete their studies. Missionaries of Hong Kong Christian Church will provide two-year study abroad fund for each student. Hong Rong was the first person to come forward and apply. His classmates Huang Sheng and Huang Kuan also stood up. So, the kind Browns took them to the United States for further study.
With the help of Brown and others, the three entered Monson School in Massachusetts. A year later, Huang Sheng returned to China due to illness to serve his widowed mother. Two years later, Huang Kuan graduated from Monzon School, listened to the arrangement of the church, transferred to England, and was admitted to Edinburgh University. He became the first scholar in China who studied western medicine in England and obtained a doctor's degree in medicine, and was also one of the earliest teachers engaged in western medicine teaching in China.
Hong Rong was admitted to Yale University on 1850, becoming the first American student in China. He has great academic talent at school. In order to solve the financial problem, Rong Hong provided meals for his classmates. Later, he was awarded the position of librarian of Yale University Brotherhood and was able to work and study for four years. 1854, yung wing returned to China.
According to his own experience, he thinks that "China should be irrigated with western academic knowledge, so that China will become more and more civilized and prosperous". Therefore, he is determined to let more China students study in the United States. After graduation, Yung Wing worked as a translator in the Hong Kong High Court and Shanghai Customs, and also managed silk and tea in Baoshun Foreign Firm. 1863 suggested to Zeng Guofan to set up a machine factory, and was entrusted to buy machines in the United States to set up Jiangnan manufacturing bureau. 1865, as one of the plans of Jiangnan manufacturing bureau, he suggested sending overseas students. 1870, he advised Zeng Guofan. Finally, in that winter, the Qing government approved Hong Rong's plan to send overseas students. From 1872 to 1875, he sent 120 people to study abroad, and sent 30 people every year. Students are required to be twelve to fifteen years old, be healthy, understand Chinese and western languages, have solid guarantee and study abroad for fifteen years.
1In July, 872, the first batch of overseas students organized by Yung Wing went to the United States under the supervision of Chen Lanbin, a native of Wuchuan, Guangdong Province. Yung Wing first made preparations in the United States. Thirty students, all dressed in robes, coats and melon seeds hats, looked dignified. When they arrived in Hartford, the whole city was a sensation. The curtain of China's history of studying abroad has been opened. In the United States, these children under 15 quickly adapted to the new environment and achieved excellent academic results.
1870, yung wing was appointed as the vice chairman of the overseas children's education bureau and served as the deputy director of the overseas study office. Since then, he has been stationed in the United States for a long time, specializing in student affairs in the United States. 1875 served as the minister of the United States, Spain and Peru until 188 1 the Qing government withdrew its overseas students.