From 1930 to 1936, many people from abroad and at Home Page went to visit Dingxian, where popular education project was carried out. Ren Hong-juan and Jiang Ting-fu believed that the popular education successfully combined scientific method and rural situation. Communist Party leaders, such as Mao Zedong and Liu Shao-qi confirmed the popular education movement.
  After China was founded in 1949, Yan’s theory was criticized as running dogs of imperialism with the influence of “left” thinking. At the end of 1950, rural construction college was compelled to be dissolved. In the following 30 years, Yan’s research was abandoned in China mainland. However, Wei Zheng-tong especially praised Yan as an excellent thinker and teacher in his famous book “Confucians and Modern China”.
  In 1981, “Yan’s Autobiography” was published in Taiwan, which was the first record of Yan’s contribution to rural construction. The author emphasized Yan’s popular education movement from 1920 to 1980. Until now, this book has high value in historical research.
In Aug of 1985, the 95 years old Yan returned to motherland after he left 35 years ago. The national leaders, including Deng Yingchao, Wan Li, Lei Jie-qiong visited him and confirmed his historical contribution.
  On Jul 11 of 1986, Yan’s Rural Construction College was retrieved the honor on Chongqing Daily. In the next year, In Beijing, Yan was selected as honorary president of alumni association and delivered a speech concerning of his strong determination of devoting his knowledge to the motherland.
  From 2000 to 2001, CCTV Oriental Times program broadcasted 30 series of “Chinese Celebrities in 100 Years”. Yan was listed as the representative of education expert, together with Sun Zhong-shan, Mao Zedong, Lu Xun, Deng Xiao-ping and etc. this meant that Yan’s contribution was confirmed by Chinese mainland.