Exploitation of exam success harms students

The 10 highest scorers among the students from seven provinces who sat this year's national college entrance exams were invited to attend a ceremony in Jincheng in North China's Shanxi province on the weekend. An actor playing the "Emperor Kangxi", the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), "knighted" each of the students and gave each 10,000 yuan ($1,615) and a copy of Kangxi Dictionary. Comments:

The imperial examination system was abolished over a century ago, yet Jincheng has reproduced a scene similar to the ennoblements bestowed by the emperor. If it was simply meant to reward the performance of these students and encourage others to study, why bother to make so much ado by copying the imperial ceremony? Such an eye-catching rigmarole can be easily spotted and as a publicity stunt, and it is worth pondering why these top students participated.

Dalian Daily, July 27