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| Speech by Xu Pingfang, Co-author of Formation of Chinese Civilization |
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Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Since 1997, as sponsored by Foreign Language Press and New World Press which are affiliated to China International Publishing Group, and Yale University Press, the first set of four books in the "Culture & Civilization of China" publication series have been published. They are, Three Thousands Years of Chinese Painting, Chinese Architecture, The Formation of Chinese Civilization, and Chinese Sculpture. There are other books in this series to be published in the years to come, such as Chinese Ceramics, Chinese Textiles, Chinese Jade and Chinese Calligraphy. This series, presenting with both texts and pictures, aims to introduce Chinese civilization and culture to the academia as well as to the general public. The books are academically sound, yet employing plain language for the benefits of the general readers. The Chinese edition and the English edition are published in China and the United States at the same pace. The purpose of this book series has been clearly set out as to explain the history and characteristics of Chinese civilization and culture, which is fairly significant from both historic and realistic perspectives. To be in line with the purpose of this book series, as I just mentioned, to explain in a sound and proper way the history and characteristics of Chinese civilization and culture, both Chinese and English editions are published as sponsored in the two countries. Moreover, the writers and editors are from both sides, for a more original way of expression and enabling a better reception by the foreign readers who are not yet very familiar with Chinese culture. I deem this is a necessary step that has been taken. The Formation of Chinese Civilization was compiled and represented by Mr. Kwang-chih Chang on the US side, and myself on the Chinese side. We two decided upon the subjects and chapters of the book. Kwang-chih Chang made it explicit that to elaborate on the forming of Chinese civilization using the latest archeological findings, Chinese scholars have more advantage. We thus invited seven scholars at different times to write different chapters, including Mr. Zhang Zhongpei, Mr. Yan Wenming, Mr. Shao Wangping, Mr. Lu Liancheng, etc. This is the best possible lineup of scholars on this subject and we have had very pleasant cooperation. Mr. Chang and I wrote Chapter 9 of the book "Formation of Chinese Civilization and Its Position in the World History of Civilization", with me focusing on section 1 and Kwang-chih on section 2. The person who writes section 2 must be proficient in both Chinese and Western learning of both ancient and contemporary times, and there would be no better person than Kwang-chih himself. He had long been engaged in the research on this very subject, and published many papers. But unfortunately he got Parkinson's Disease at that time. When I met with him in Taipei, he already suffered from difficulties in walking and speaking, his handwritings are hardly readable and it was impossible for him to write this book. Later on, I wrote him a letter and volunteered to write this section for him on the basis of his previous research papers, he then could revise my draft. He agreed with me. In early October of 1998, I sent him by mail the first draft that I had completed for him. The article was of over 9000 words, and basically was composed by the original writings of his papers while I just added a few conjunctional words when necessary to ensure the consistency of the whole text. On October 18, Kwang-chih responded to my letter, "your writing in my place is as good as mine. We can use this version." He carefully edited what I wrote, including punctuations and letters in the English words. Kwang-chih expressed an utterly important viewpoint in this article. He proposed that it would be necessary to re-evaluate the Chinese civilization, which to me is the very essence of the book. Kwang-chih died of the disease in the US on January 3, 2001. It is a great pity he was unable to see this book as published. When Kwang-chih passed away, the US side has invited Prof. Sarah Allan of Dartmouth University to edit the full English text, and write the Introduction in the English edition. The other two books, Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting and Chinese Sculpture were both written through joint efforts of Chinese and American scholars. Amongst the four books, the one on painting and the one on sculpture belong to the realm of arts. Architecture is at the same time the subject of engineering and architectural arts. We have written on all the subjects from prehistoric to modern and contemporary times. In a systematic and focused way, the best works and the historic development of Chinese paintings, sculptures and architectures are introduced and concentrated in the books. Chinese culture and arts are very different from that of Europe. Architecture is the most different. As to paintings and sculptures, the subject matters, the techniques, the way of presentation and the artistic conception are all different as well. Authors have paid much attention to the cultural background and the features in the formation of Chinese culture and arts. By cultural background, I refer to the background against which the Chinese civilization had been formed. That is the key to understanding China. The book The Formation of Chinese Civilization has make due efforts in answering this interesting historic issue. The academia both at home and abroad has positively appraised this book series. Very quickly Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting was published by Linking Books of the United Daily News Group in Taipei in traditional Chinese characters. Mr. James C. Y. Watt, curator of Asian Arts in Metropolitan Museum of New York, commented that it is the most complete work on Chinese paintings, and it would become a must for both foreign scholars and the ordinary readers interested in Chinese paintings. Chinese Architecture was quickly published in Taiwan in the traditional Chinese characters, and in French in France as well. Here is what professor James Cahill of UC Berkeley has commented: it is a comprehensive piece of work on the art of architecture. The writers have in-depth understanding of Chinese architecture and architectural history, which could not be compared with by any foreign researchers. The English language employment makes it much easier for foreign readers to comprehend. This book has opened up a new and important cognitive area for all the scholars researching on Chinese culture. Prof. Jin Weinuo of Central Academy of Fine Arts of China gives his comments as follows: "Chinese Sculpture depicts a panoramic picture and the regular pattern in the context of social history and national culture. It not only introduces various researches of both Chinese and western scholars, but also expressed its own viewpoint." Prof. Su Bai of Peking University prudently reviewed The Formation of Chinese Civilization as a book describing the origin, formation and development of Chinese civilization by using Chinese archeological findings and documents. It is abundant in information and vigor in reasoning. It is one of the most comprehensive books on this subject published in recent years. In particular, the discussion on the features of Chinese civilization and its position in the world history of civilization is fairly thought-provoking. Mr. Zhu Naicheng, a research fellow of China Academy of Social Sciences specializing in archeological research on the origin of Chinese culture, has written a long review. He noted that The Formation of Chinese Civilization is the first ever monumental work amongst over a thousand researches on the origin of Chinese civilization. It cannot be compared with in terms of commitment and input, the quality of its writers, the systemic research and the superb binding and layout. It serves as a landmark in the research of the origin and primary development of Chinese civilization, with many new insights ranging from ancient history research, the features of Chinese culture to its position in the world history of civilization. The "Culture and Civilization of China" book series have been well received and highly appraised at the Frankfurt Book Fair year after another by publishers and distributors alike from many countries. As we all know, the publishing of academic books rarely arouses much sensational effect. That is why we are so pleased when our book series has received the above-mentioned reviews and recognition. As Chinese scholars and through our endeavors, we are in the position to spread the Chinese culture of long standing to other places in the world. Please also have our sincere wishes for the success of the series as co-sponsored and cherished by both China and the US. On behalf of all the authors, I would like to take this opportunity to make a suggestion: The "Culture and Civilization of China" book series are of magnificent pictures and layout, and quality printing, which results in high cost. In turn, it affects the marketing of the series to some extend. May I suggest that paper-back editions be published so as to promote these books to a wider readership? Thank you very much. (China.org.cn November 14, 2006) |
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