Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) has its origins in the Yan'an Research Academy of Natural Sciences (延安自然科学研究院), which was established in May 1939 in Yan'an, Shaanxi, in northwest China by the Chinese Communist Party, with the aim of training science and engineering professionals. In January 1940 when China was undergoing the most difficult phase of the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China reformed Yan'an Research Academy of Natural Sciences into Yan'an Academy of Natural Sciences (延安自然科学院). The major mission of the Academy was to assist the industrial development in Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Border Region. As the first science and engineering university founded by Chinese Communist Party, Yan'an Academy of Natural Sciences opened on 1 September 1940. Li Fuchun, the secretary of the CPC Committee for Shaan-Gan-Ning Border Region was appointed as the first president, and was succeeded by educationist Xu Teli.