“Facing Malfunction in System, Democracy, and Taiwan Itself” Series 2: Stop Cultural Suicide, Leaving Roots for Taiwan

 “Facing Malfunction in System, Democracy, and Taiwan Itself” Series 2

Stop Cultural Suicide, Leaving Roots for Taiwan

China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

August 25, 2017

 Translation of an Excerpt

The Ministry of Education plans to cut the ratio of classical Chinese writings in senior high school textbook guidelines from 45-55% to 30%, stirring an uproar in various circles; many literature and history scholars do not agree with the proposed changes. The Education Ministry under the DPP administration first planned to cut the content of Chinese history in the high school textbook guidelines, and merge Chinese history into the section of the East Asian historical context, drawing heated discussions; this is another measure attempting to dilute Chinese culture and Chinese history. The Tsai government must respond in a clear-cut manner, is this the implementation of Taiwan cultural independence under the camouflage of maintaining the “status quo”?

When the entire world is striving to study Chinese, we, on the other hand, try to jettison the language treasure and cultural gifts that our ancestors bequeathed us. The DPP government should know that classical Chinese writings are fundamental in studying the wisdom of the written Chinese language. To dilute the teaching of classical writings for ideological reasons is extremely irresponsible and extremely unwise; several generations from now on will all have to pay the price for this decline and deterioration.

For the welfare of the next generation, President Tsai Ying-wen has the responsibility to apply the brakes on the erroneous policy of desinicization in education. Chinese culture is like the blood and genes innate in the body of Taiwan, but we, surprisingly, want to cut our wrists, draining Taiwan's blood for desinicization and artificially obliterating Taiwan's genes. This is not only cultural self-mutilation, but also the suicide of the country.

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