SHANGHAI, April 12 (Xinhua) -- On April 11, the appointment ceremony for members of the Shanghai Research Institute of Culture and History was held. Gong Zheng, Deputy Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and Mayor of Shanghai, presented appointment letters to 22 newly appointed members: Yang Zhigang, Qi Tiexie, Jiang Jianzhong, Liang Weiping, Cheng Yongxin, Zhu Penggao, Xuan Jiaxin, Tang Cuncai, Li Jun, Lu Zhide, Bao Pengshan, Chen Feihua, Chen Zhihong, Qin Na, Mao Shanyu, Qian Huili, Wu Huangan, Xu Qinghua, Ding Shenyang, Chen Danyan, Zhao Zhengke, and Xin Lili.

At the ceremony, Xie Dong, Vice Mayor of Shanghai, read out the Shanghai Municipal Government's notice on the appointment of members.

The Shanghai Research Institute of Culture and History was established in June 1953. Its members are cultural figures with considerable academic attainments and artistic achievements, significant social influence, and high reputations, covering such fields as culture and history, calligraphy and painting, drama, traditional Chinese medicine, performing arts, publishing, and law. To date, 1,282 people have been appointed. Over the years, the Shanghai Research Institute of Culture and History has given full play to the professional strengths of its members, playing a unique role in honoring culture and drawing lessons from history, advising on state affairs, democratic supervision, and united front networking.