Date of Chinese Enlightenment
The May 4th Movement was not only a great national salvation, but also a Chinese version of Enlightenment. As a movement advocating the new culture, it greatly promoted the emancipation of people's thinking, as argued by an article in the Guangming Daily. Excerpts:
In view of the authoritarian and imperial rules prevalent in ancient China, the Chinese nation was fettered and suppressed, and lacking the dynamics for marching towards becoming a modern society. The May 4th Movement smashed the idols, broke the shackles, battered the anachronistic old thoughts and rituals, and paved the way for the dissemination of new thoughts and a new culture.
The May 4th Movement, seeking democracy and science, freedom and equality, stimulated the idea of emancipation in China. The spirit of reason and science, advocated by the movement, encouraged the people to embrace progress, learn diligently, accumulate new knowledge, acquire new skills, observe China and the world from new angles, and become skilled persons who are useful to the nation.
Although it is 90 years since the date, the May 4th spirit of "patriotism, advancement, democracy and science" is still valued as the precious wealth of our nation. In the new historic stage, we still need to remember the precious legacy of the movement, and continue to be nourished by it.
The burden of inheriting the May 4th spirit is on the shoulders of the intellectuals and the youth. The Chinese intellectuals and youth should practice the May 4th spirit and embrace democracy and science.
They should link their personal fortune with the destination of the nation and the people, and understand the reality of China from the grassroots. The experiences acquired from the grassroots will be a boon that would enable full play to their talents for a successful career.
(China Daily 05/05/2009 page8)
