Seawall constructors and pupils pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition in Xiamen, Fujian province, on June 21. [Photo/xmnn.cn]

A photo exhibition highlighting the spirit of seawall constructors kicked off at the Xianglu Primary School in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, on June 21. 

Liao Yanbao, Wu Jiahua, Ye Shizhen and Wang Lizhen, four engineers who devoted themselves to the construction of Xiamen's first seawall 70 years ago, were in attendance. 

In words and pictures, the exhibition explained the origin and processes involved in Xiamen's building of the seawall and shared the spirit of its constructors, who were tightly united and dedicated to taking an independent development road which featured scientific innovation and self-improvement. 

Liao Yanbao, 93, said the constructors strived to save every penny to reach 4.75 million yuan ($690,889) at a time when 1 yuan could buy over 20 eggs. 

Chen Yumeng, a third-grade student, said the exhibition has renewed her impressions of the sea wall. She said that she had previously been puzzled about the great project of the 1950s that seemed little more to her than a narrow and shabby footpath for taking walks. 

The exhibition will be carried out in 10 other primary schools until mid-January 2020, with lectures and a documentary narrated by the seawall constructors available for visitors.

A volunteer explains a photo which records the seawall construction on June 21. [Photo/xmnn.cn]

Students applaud the seawall constructors in Xiamen, Fujian province, on June 21. [Photo/xmnn.cn]