With official portrait of Confucius unveiled on September 23, people's attentions have now turned to a crying Confucius statue, made of clay with a face full of tears.

Jin Feng, who created the statue, explained the reason behind his work. "Confucius is a hot topic this year. I hope people can understand and discuss him from the point of view of ordinary people. The core moral standard and philosophy of Confucianism is love. Do people have to rethink their way of love now? What would Confucius say about present education and moral situation standards if he were still alive?" he asked.

Some Internet users guessed the statue expresses dissatisfaction toward the "Spicy Girl of Sinology," Bai Luming, a girl who claims herself as a descendant of the 53rd generation of famous poet Bai Yuyi from the Tang Dynasty. One night with her costs 100,000 yuan. She also professed using the name Spicy Girl of Sinology to attract attention to herself and Sinology, but Internet users call her the second Furong--a famous female Chinese blogger--sister.

Most people said it was hard to understand Jin Feng's aim in making a crying Confucius statue. "I doubt even he understands Confucius himself. The statue hardly touches anyone," one user observed.

(CRIENGLISH.com November 13, 2006)