Professor Zhu Gaozheng lecturing in the Cross-Straits Guoxue Center [Photo/ptnet.cn]

On August 16, Professor Zhu Gaozheng from Taiwan  delivers the third monthly lecture at the Cross-Straits Guoxue Center in Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, Chinese mainland’s closest neighbor of Taiwan.

Professor Zhu is a  scholar in cultural studies. Well-versed in both Chinese and Western Cultures, he is committed to promoting traditional Chinese culture.

The scene of lecture hall [Photo/ptnet.cn]

Prof. Zhu’s lecture was titled “Rediscover the value of the traditional Chinese culture through the Study of Fujian”. At the beginning of the lecture, Zhu illustrated the evolution of Confucianism in different historical periods by introducing the historical changes and the development of Confucianism in ancient China. He claimed Minxue ,or the Study of Fujian, is the philosophy of Zhu Zi, which includes but does not limit solely on the studies of Fujian province. In Dr. Zhu’s view, the Study of Fujian also serves as an important channel for many Western scholars to learn Confucian culture.

During the lecture, Prof.Zhu analyzed the reason why the dubbed “The Four Asian Tigers”- Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea- took off in economy in 1960s was that they were all empowered with Confucian culture that emphasizes on putting family first, the quality of diligence and frugality, and education.

Dr. Zhu believed that the classic “Jin Si Lu”, or literally translated as “Record of Recent Thoughts” could serve as a shortcut for people of this generation to learn about the fine traditional Chinese culture.

The Q&A session [Photo/ptnet.cn]

In the subsequent Q&A session, Zhu responded to several questions based on his personal insights into life. He emphasized that, in term of a kid’s education, it is a taboo to force-feed children ahead of their young age. What matters is to teach them the principle of righteousness first instead of life skills. We should leave a child’s learning process on its natural course. Don’t overburden kids, instead, please leave them a happy childhood.

More famous scholars from both sides of the Taiwan Straits will be invited to give lectures centering around Guoxue, namely the studies of traditional Chinese culture in the future with an aim of creating a cultural brand “Meet the masters” in PCPZ.

About Zhu Gaozheng

Born in Yunlin County, Taiwan, Zhu Gaozheng graduated from the law department of Taiwan University in 1977 and obtained a PhD in philosophy from the University of Bonn in Germany. Zhu is also a visiting professor of the Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and a descendant of Zhu Xi, a great Chinese educator in the Song Dynasty (960-1279).