A latest incident illustrates what a minefield it has grow to be to debate something, previous or current, associated to the Chinese language army. This week, a historical past lecturer at Lanzhou College was accused by somebody on-line of “distorting” information concerning the Korean Conflict: in different phrases, of committing “historic nihilism” by providing an interpretation at odds with CCP historic orthodoxy. Fortunately for the lecturer, the college got here to their protection and the controversy was rapidly defused, however given the timing, the lecturer may have discovered their job—and even their freedom—in danger.
The incident was analyzed in a latest article by Chengdu-based veteran journalist Zhang Feng, who writes for The Paper, Beijing Information, Phoenix Information (www.ifeng.com), and different media retailers. In “Lanzhou College Simply Dodged a Bullet,” printed to his WeChat public account 张3丰的世界 (Zhang Sanfeng de Shijie, “The World of Zhang Sanfeng”), Zhang Feng discusses the accusation, the college’s response, and what the incident means for educational freedom and mental inquiry:
Somebody reported on Weibo {that a} historical past lecturer at Lanzhou College had “distorted [the facts of] the Korean Conflict.” Provided that public sentiment was operating so excessive after the stand-up comedian controversy, individuals had been understandably frightened, and anxious about what destiny may befall the lecturer.
The result was considerably reassuring. Lanzhou College issued a well timed response, noting that the “distortions” listed [in the lecturer’s slide presentation] had been merely meant for example sure historic misunderstandings, and that every one was sternly and promptly rebutted within the subsequent portion of the lecture.
A screenshot of Lanzhou College’s response to the grievance.
Textual content of Lanzhou College’s response:
On Might 22, 2023, there was a web-based report about inappropriate class content material in a Lanzhou College Division of Historical past course. The college took this allegation critically, and instantly established a working group to analyze. After reviewing the classroom audiovisual supplies and interviewing the scholars, we will report that the scenario is as follows:
The content material circulated on-line is 2 pages from the curriculum of “Trendy World Historical past (Half 2),” which incorporates the part “Early Conflicts of the Chilly Conflict” within the chapter “Origins of the Chilly Conflict.” The Korean Conflict is a case examine in that part. Whereas discussing the affect and significance of the Korean struggle, the lecturer cited sure misguided viewpoints that had appeared on-line—reminiscent of “One win, 9 losses”—however clearly identified that these kinds of viewpoints are improper. [“One win, nine losses” posits that China won on the battlefield, but suffered many other losses during and after the war: massive casualties, the suffering of the North Korean people, the loss of diplomatic contact with the U.S. and the West, being driven into the arms of the U.S.S.R., and precipitating such events as the North Korean nuclear threat, China’s Great Famine, and the Cultural Revolution.]
Lanzhou College has all the time connected nice significance to administrative oversight of our instructors, and we’ll proceed to strengthen teacher coaching, enhance our instructors’ educating skills, and proceed striving to enhance the standard of the schooling we provide.
Thanks to everybody for supporting the work we do at Lanzhou College! [Source]
After the college’s rebuttal, the accusations in opposition to the lecturer that had been circulating on-line had been deleted. Zhang Feng famous that the incident, though satisfactorily resolved, was however one instance of a bigger phenomenon that threatens tutorial inquiry and mental freedom:
I love these academics who nonetheless dare to talk: they’re worthy of their occupation. They persist in mental inquiry fairly than rote regurgitation, and so they cross on that spirit of mental inquiry to younger individuals who pay tuition and genuinely wish to be taught, in order that these tuition charges will not be wasted.
This isn’t to heap blame upon these academics who’re so timid that they persist with the script. These academics have degenerated to the purpose that they view educating as an atypical wage-earning job, and college students as merchandise. They stop exhibiting affection as a result of they’re afraid of being damage. Beneath the specter of being reported, the connection between academics and college students has been reversed, and it’s the college students who now dictate the destiny of their academics.
Such academics are pitiful, however they’ve little selection. It isn’t simple to earn a doctorate and get a job at a university or college. If they’re kicked out, their lives can be hopeless—so how can we blame them?
Some say that it’s not the “snitches” who’re despicable, however the truth that informing on academics truly works. At a college, it’s naturally the college leaders and directors who maintain decision-making energy. Snitching on academics would lower if faculties would higher shield their instructors. However faculties additionally defend themselves by stating that they’re half of a bigger cultural and institutional construction—they, too, have little selection within the matter. [Chinese]
