A statue of Wang Jinxi was revealed at China University of Petroleum in Beijing on Nov 15. [Photo provided to China Daily]

To mark the 50th anniversary of the death of oil driller Wang Jinxi (1923-1970) who has long been hailed as "iron man" for his dedication to the development of China's oil production, a 2.7-meter-high statue of Wang was set up in China University of Petroleum, Beijing on Nov 15.

The statue was sculpted by renowned Chinese artist Wu Weishan. Wu says that the spirit of Wang has encouraged generations of oil industry practitioners to commit themselves to the development of the country.

"The CUP is the cradle of talent for China's oil industry. I hope more CUP graduates who combine ability with integrity could take serving the people and constructing to the country as their dreams," he says.

On the same day, the university announced it will initiate an education base aiming to pass down Wang's spirit.

Wang Qimin, 84, a leading oil drilling expert and an alumnus of the university, has also been invited to deliver a speech for the students about how he has worked in the Daqing Oilfield and devoted his life to the development of the country's oil industry over the past six decades.

He encourages young students to uphold the spirit of "iron man" to overcome any difficulties they might face in the future on their way to make contributions to the oil production.