It is a bad practice that some people in prodigious Peking University refer to Harvard University in talking about almost every subject, according to Prof. Ye Lang of Peking University.

Ye, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top advisory body, said that in the opinion of these people, Harvard represents the absolute truth and constitutes the highest standard.

He said, "Harvard has its own strong points. For example, Harvard students majoring in religion have a solid foundation for languages."

"But in doing research, we must have something of our own. If that bad study practice is not halted, it will certainly do lots of harm," said ye, a man without party affiliation.

( March 7, 2002)