Adding Confucian elements at political center
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Placing a statue of Confucius there also calls for consideration of the influence of this historical figure. Widely considered to have been a sage, great thinker and educationalist, Confucius wielded great influence over the politics of previous dynasties in Chinese history, and his ideologies were brutally oppressed during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76).
But since then, the past decades have witnessed a reversal of fates. Confucius has become more and more popular among the public as his profound thoughts on education, humanity, and society struck a chord.
There are now more than 2,000 Confucius temples around the globe, and close to 300 Confucius institutes internationally teaching Chinese language and culture.
Books about the teaching of Confucius have become best sellers. Some students even go to Confucius temples to pray for good luck before college entrance examinations. Confucius has become a cultural symbol rather than a political one.
China is no longer in the era when political campaigns or revolutionary slogans dominated social debate. Today, development is the byword of the day for China. The country is concentrating on holistic development in economy, culture and society.
With the statute of Confucius, Tiananmen Square today can embrace more cultural elements to enrich the face of China.
The fast-changing nation has been taking pains to seek a new set of mainstream values among the exchanges and collision of old and new, East and West. Erecting the statue of Confucius can show that we will herald the gems of our traditional culture, and carry them forward.
Showcasing Confucious at the nation's center only demonstrates the open mind of a new society.
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