Society

Peking U. founds Confucianism research center

(english.cri.cn)
Updated: 2010-06-30 17:25

Peking University announced the founding of the Confucianism Research Institute on Tuesday to promote academic studies about traditional culture and explore the contemporary significance of Confucian studies, The Beijing News reported.

Related readings:  The Second session of the World Confucian Conference unveiled in Qufu  Confucian studies return, hailed as relevant  Confucian wisdom alive and well in our hearts and city

The university appointed Tang Yijie, an 83-year-old professor as president of the Institute.

Tang said that as the impact of western culture provides China with a good opportunity to reflect on its own traditional culture, current Confucian studies should be selected according to and connected with the country's development.

"Peking University has always placed high value on Confucian studies, and Professor Tang Yijie has a profound understanding of Confucianism studies' social meaning," said Zhou Qifeng, President of Peking University.

Guo Qiyong, president of the Institute of Chinese Studies at Wuhan University, suggested that Confucian studies also should be included in government officials' training programs apart from the ongoing Confucian training of businessmen.