As the crimson curtain slowly lifted, the iconic red archway of Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU) emerged, its golden lettering and emblem dazzling against the backdrop. On September 10th, the university's 130th-anniversary celebration unfolded at the Xiong'an Sports Center, where the southern gate of its new Xiong'an campus was also officially unveiled. Standing at the intersection of this historic milestone and the bustling construction site, one cannot help but ponder what this strategic relocation truly signifies for the institution, as the campus rises alongside the towers of a city designed for the future.

The Haidian campus, affectionately known as "Red Orchard" by students, carries the weight of the university's long history and the cherished memories of countless generations. Yet, its physical confines have become increasingly strained, with laboratories, teaching buildings, dormitories, and sports facilities all under pressure. The new Xiong'an campus, however, is more than just an expansion of physical space; it represents a strategic elevation of the university's entire developmental trajectory. As one of the first four Beijing universities to relocate to Xiong'an, BJTU's new site spans roughly 2,600 mu, more than double the size of its current Haidian home. The core buildings needed to commence operations have all reached their structural completion, with doors set to open as planned in September 2027.

Looking back over its 130-year saga, BJTU's growth has always been intertwined with the nation's transportation development, industrial advancement, and modern educational exploration. Its past is written along railway lines, in the historical narratives of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway and the spirit of Zhan Tianyou, and on the frontlines of major infrastructure projects and technological breakthroughs. Now, establishing a new campus in this "City of the Future" is not simply a relocation but a continuation of its mission within a new national strategic framework. The university is actively developing the Aichuangwan Innovation Research Institute network in Xiong'an, focusing on 19 areas including rail transit, big data, and artificial intelligence, with the goal of achieving a deep integration of innovation, industry, capital, and talent. Once fully operational, the new campus will accelerate the flow of its leading disciplines, core technologies, and high-caliber talent into the region's development.

For any university undergoing such a transition, the most immediate concern is always its people. Many faculty and staff have questions about housing, children's education, commuting, and career advancement. The university has established a dedicated task force to address these livelihood issues, actively collecting feedback, publishing policy explanations, and organizing site visits to Xiong'an. It is also planning an integrated educational system from kindergarten through high school to secure schooling for the children of its staff. These seemingly specific and mundane matters are, in fact, crucial to ensuring teachers can come with peace of mind and students can learn with stability. During interviews, some teachers shared that they have already begun looking at and even purchasing homes in Xiong'an, while others are eager to build more intelligent teaching and research environments from the ground up. The growth of a new campus ultimately depends on people putting down roots, and it is through this rooting that a university's future gradually takes shape.

Another key question on many students' minds is whether the university's spiritual essence and reputation will endure in a new location. The Siyuan Building is memorable not merely because it is the main structure, but because the philosophy of "remembering the source of one's blessings" it embodies constantly reminds the BJTU community of their origins, their purpose, and their direction. A university's influence is forged through its service to the nation, its response to the times, and its engagement in practice. BJTU's academic strength, societal standing, and intellectual character will continue to be written by a new generation of its members as they participate in the construction of Xiong'an and serve national strategies. From the legacy of "Red Orchard" to the promise of the "Future City," what changes are the spaces, scenarios, and development agendas; what remains unchanged is the university's original aspiration to serve national strategy and answer the calls of the era. Today's Xiong'an campus, like a young seedling taking root and reaching for the sky, carries the historical lineage of this 130-year-old institution, growing with infinite possibilities for what lies ahead.