Preface

The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, with athletes and visitors attending from 205 countries and regions, will be the largest ever Olympic Games in history.

Since the dawning of the 21st century, the international community has been paying greater attention to China. People around the world want to learn more about Chinese culture in more comprehensive and profound ways. The Beijing Olympics will provide just such an opportunity. Friends from all parts of the world will savor the 5,000-year-long culture of this country and see what modern China is really like today.

It is at such a hopeful time that Professors Ye Lang and Zhu Liangzhi have written this book to share with readers their insights into Chinese culture.

Several years ago, Professor Ye Lang and I became friends when we worked together in initiating aesthetic education programs for children and youth, in an effort to improve their overall qualifications. Professor Ye is an influential philosopher and aesthetics scholar in contemporary China. In 2002 and 2003, he concurrently served as the dean for three departments at Peking University: Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Arts. Professor Zhu has long been engaged in research in Chinese philosophy and arts, with his special focus on Zen Buddhism, painting, calligraphy, and landscape gardening.

Beyond general knowledge, this book provides a detailed, vivid introduction to certain unique features and highlights of Chinese culture. The authors have attempted to represent the spirit and core values of Chinese culture, especially those with universal significance. They have also tried to exemplify the inner world, the life views and aesthetic interests of the Chinese people. They hope this book will serve as a popular introduction to Chinese culture for readers both in China and abroad. At the same time, they also hope their insights can provide a new perspective for readers to gain a deeper understanding of the true essence of Chinese culture.

Subjects covered in his book range from ancient wonders such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, and traditional residences of ordinary people, to enduring artworks of calligraphy, painting, landscape gardening, Peking Opera, and porcelain. Under the authors' pen, these subjects have all been imbued with a living spirit to epitomize Chinese people's real life interests. Even in a game of go, the authors have discovered "kindred friendship" among the players, who play a "good game" through principles of cooperation and coexistence. In the description and analysis of A Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival , or of Old Beijing and Old Shanghai, the authors provide readers with glimpses of Chinese people's contentment with a peaceful and harmonious life. This is perhaps part of the reason why Chinese culture has lasted for thousands of years.

Not only is the text written in a superbly fluent and fascinating way, the accompanying illustrations also bring to life the splendor of many aspects of Chinese culture.

The publication of Insights into Chinese Culture is a timely addition to the content of the "People's Olympics."

Li Lanqing

Vice Premier of China from 1993 to 2003