The Chinese Communists Are Not Confucianists

by Yu Ying-shih

The following is an unauthorized translation of an excerpt from an interview with Prof. Yu Ying-shih [via Skype] during a symposium in November 2014 marking the 65th anniversary of the founding of Hong Kong’s New Asia College (新亞書院).  Statements in parenthesis have been added, and endnotes provided, by the translator for clarity. – The Editor
Ying-shih Yu, Princeton’s Gordon Wu ’58 Professor Emeritus of Chinese Studies, has been named the co-winner of the third John W. Kluge Prize for lifetime achievement in the study of humanity. Here he is seen at his home near Princeton. 12/21/06 JERRY MCCREA/THE STAR LEDGER

Chen Duxiu (陳獨秀). Photo: https://twitter.com/CraigClunas/status/595198956201713664

( July 2, 2015, New York City, Sri Lanka Guardian) Question: Senior Chinese Communist leaders have visited the Confucian Temple in Qufu [In November 2013]. Also, recently-held national meetings in China have praised the Confucian values of traditional culture, urged a return to these values, and stressed the significance of developing these values in the future. In our recent conversation, I have admired your continuation of the “New Asia spirit” of Prof. Qian Mu (錢穆，1895-1990)[1], and your attitude of reclaiming Chinese culture for the world. Looking at Hong Kong’s development, the influence of China on Hong Kong is after all quite strong, so how do you see China’s senior leaders presently promoting a return to China’s traditional culture affecting what you have referred to as “cultural ecology?” What do you think we can expect from this generation of China’s leaders for the ten or so years that they will be in power? How will Chinese leadership developments affect Hong Kong and in what way? I’d like to hear your opinions on these matters.

The Chinese Communists Are Not Confucianists by Thavam Ratna