Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
A correct conclusion is sure to be brought about through practice as to the truth and
falsehood of an issue. There was a time in the past when academic discussion was
confused with political problems, which impeded free discussion and brought about
harmful results. For instance, when the question of preserving or demolishing the
city walls of Beijing was being discussed, those who favoured its preservation were
inclined to be labelled as “conservative”, “retrograde” or even “reactionary”, thus
forcing people to refrain from speaking their mind. Consequently, many valuable
opinions were stifl ed, which proved detrimental to our work. This state of affairs
was allowed to develop to an incredible degree during the 10 years when the “gang
of four” was in power, especially in the sphere of culture and learning where “ten
thousand horses stood mute”. It is most encouraging to see that during the last
2 years there has emerged once more the fl ourishing scene of allowing a hundred
fl owers to blossom and hundred schools to contend. Emancipation of the mind and
free airing of views are considered to be vital conditions of accelerating the realisa-
tion of the modernisation.
As has been proved by experience, as far as critical inheritance of history and
culture is concerned, it is not always so easy to distinguish the essence from the
dregs. Therefore, it becomes quite necessary to carry on thorough discussion and
free debate on all controversial matters. Only by this can we really tell the right from
the wrong and distinguish the essence from the dregs, thus achieving the purpose of
making the past serve the present and weeding through the old to bring out the new.
This is also true with the city construction of Beijing, as well as the cultural con-
struction of the whole nation, only the problem is even more complicated.
In concluding my lecture, I would like to repeat the point that I brought up at the
beginning of my talk, i.e. a new China is forging ahead towards modernisation along
the road of the new Long March. For this purpose, we have to learn from the West
everything that is advanced. Likewise, we shall also absorb all that is valuable from
our historical and cultural heritage, which is more important and more complicated
a problem in the construction of our new socialist culture. We are quite sure to greet
the advent of a new era in our country, which may well be termed a “renaissance”
by solving the above-mentioned problem step by step in the process.
It is a great pleasure for me to have obtained this opportunity to come here on the
kind invitation of your university, and give a very inadequate introduction of one of
the problems confronting my country and my people to my most amiable Canadian
friends and colleagues, with the aim to help in my small way to promote mutual
understanding and cultural exchange between our two countries, which has been my
greatest wish.
Once more, let me give my heart-felt thanks to the revered President of the
University of British Columbia, the honourable Chairman and members of Cecil H.
and Ida Green Visiting Professorships and all who have come to my lecture today.
