A couple of days ago, China's Beijing based Renmin University announced the upcoming September opening of its College of National Culture Study, with a subsequent recruit of students from across the whole country. This will be the first college solely devoted to national study to have been established in China since the founding of the People's Republic.

The announcement could be compared to a stone thrown in a pond, since it has caused great sensation among Chinese society.

But what exactly is Guoxue and what is its current situation?

The appearance of the concept of Guoxue, literally translated as national culture, can be traced back over 2,000 years. However from its beginnings and over much of the following two millennia, guoxue mainly referred to the central educational system or institutions in China. In fact, it was not until the early 20th century that the concept of Guoxue was highlighted again as a "study" of China's national culture.

This came against a socio-political background in which western cultures were crowding into China and even overwhelming its traditional values. It was during this period that the study of national culture peaked, with numerous scholars obtaining great achievements in this regard, particularly the four masters Wang Guowei, Liang Qichao, Chen Yinque and Zhao Yuanren.

It was also during this period that Guoxue, or the study of national culture, gradually gained its current definition, which mainly refers to the study of traditional Chinese philosophy, literature and history.

However, back in the early 20th century, this brief period of prosperity couldn't stop the study of national culture from crashing into the depths when it was criticized as blocking China's advance towards modern society.

Another reason behind its downfall was the conflict between old and new educational systems, according to Zheng Jiadong, a professor of Confucianism with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences:

"At that time, people were arguing about the educational principle of colleges. Many believed that colleges should produce professional talents for society, while the study of national culture focused more on philosophy, literature and history, which help students establish a comprehensive understanding towards world and life. At last, the former point of view won out and the study of national culture began to be sidelined within the Chinese college education system."

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the study of national culture initially recovered to some degree, but it was soon pushed back to the bottom with the coming of the Cultural Revolution.

National culture, and especially Confucianism, was once again criticized as the representative of feudalism and conservatism. As the most celebrated national culture experts passed away, so it became an undeniable fact that Guoxue was facing a crisis in modern China.

But after all had seemed lost, the humanities-centered China Renmin University decided to establish a college for the study of national culture, and subsequently caused a great stir in academic and educational circles. Professor Zhang Liwen is the Dean of the Institute of Confucian Study with Renmin University. He reveals to us the reasons behind the establishment of this new college:

"China is now experiencing an economic takeoff and is getting more and more involved in the world. This background is quite similar to that of the early 20th century when western cultures crowded into China and exerted a great impact on traditional cultures. Therefore Chinese scholars are now seeking some spiritual support from traditional Chinese culture in order to facilitate modern China's development."

Professor Zheng Jiadong also expands his explanation by considering this new college from the vantage point of education:

"Today, people have realized that colleges should not only produce professionals, but also shoulder the responsibility of handing down cultural traditions. Actually, Chinese colleges have done a good job of producing professionals, even better than many famous universities throughout the world. So now it's the right time for us to attach more importance to the education of humanities."

This standpoint is backed by the comments of Zhang Liwen, who believes that today's young people have little knowledge of China's national culture. He says:

"Today, Chinese college students might know foreign cultures better than they know Chinese national culture. They can easily cite names of the western literati like Shakespeare, Tolstoy or Tagore, but if you ask them about the Eight Literati of China's Tang and Song Dynasties, few of them could provide a complete answer."

In addition, Professor Zhang says that today's study of national culture is not merely confined to the research of traditional Chinese philosophy, literature and history. Instead its most important feature is the examination of how these subjects can be connected with western theories, and help the development of modern China.

He also adds that in recent years, the study of national culture has gradually caught the attention of the Chinese public. For example, many primary schools are now teaching the recitation of Chinese classics, such as the Analects of Confucius, in order to improve the younger generation's basic knowledge. Some colleges and universities have also opened experimental classes devoted to traditional Chinese literature, history and philosophy.

Moreover, some new academic research projects are being aimed at national culture, including the study of the Art of War and the exploitation of the economic theories of Guanzi, an ancient classic completed during the Spring and Autumn Period more than 2,000 years ago.

However, all this activity is scattered and sporadic, and can by no means be regarded as systematic. Therefore Professor Zhang hopes that the establishment of a college in Renmin University can change this situation.

According to Professor Zhang, the College of the National Culture Study will feature the four traditional categories of Chinese writings, that is, Confucian classics, history, philosophy and belles letters. As a result of this categorization, it will undoubtedly have courses different to the experimental classes of other colleges and universities. And besides these traditional subjects, western literature, artistic theories, philosophy and history will also be included.

As Professor Zhang puts it, they want to reorient the study of national culture in a worldwide setting with modern standards. Although traditional Chinese culture may be the main body of these courses, the study of national culture can never again simply stand for a quick glance at the old classics.

(CRI.com June 14, 2005)