Confucianism finds new disciples
The revival of Confucianism enjoyed government support as dozens of Confucius Institute branches sprouted up overseas. But at the grassroots level, it was growing in a more organic way. Schools re-introduced classics such as Analectics, but many tended to cram the teachings of the sage down the throats of children without giving them space to digest. One private school, later dismantled under government pressure, attempted to recreate traditional educational methods.
Many saw this new-found enthusiasm as a shift away from Western influence and a return to China's cultural roots. While it was heartening to see the nation regain self-confidence, some felt that a wholesale revival would amount to negation of the May 4th Movement that exposed many of the flaws in Confucianism.
(China Daily 01/04/2007 page18)
