For the first 30 years after its inauguration, the school experienced financial difficulties and suffered several temporary shutdowns. In response, supporters of the school launched the Pui Ching Upkeeping Association. In 1907, Pui Ching purchased land in the Dongshan district of Guangzhou with the long-term goal of opening a school site there. In 1918, Pui Ching alumnus Huang Qiming was appointed president and launched a fundraising campaign to mark the school's 30th anniversary. During this period Pui Ching students' physical and academic achievements gained recognition nationwide. Many universities offered preferred recruitment to Pui Ching school graduates, including Lingnan University, University of Shanghai, Yenching University, Private University of Nanking (now the University of Nanking), Central University (now the Central China Normal University), Guanghua University (defunct), and Qilu University (dissolved and merged into other universities and colleges).