China's first on-campus research institute on Confucius was set up Saturday at the Beijing-based People's University of China.
The institute will be devoted to studying the great philosopher and educationist of ancient China, his theories and traditional Chinese culture.
"We hope to build a bridge between modern and traditional Chinese cultures and help make the best use of traditional Chinese culture," said Ji Baocheng, president of the university and honorary director of the research institute.
The institute's research agenda in the near future will be three research projects covering a history of Confucian study in China, Confucius and the history of the formation of Chinese nationhood, and the global spread and influence of Confucian theories.
The institute has already started preparatory work on compiling a Confucian treasure of some 500 volumes on Confucian theories and Confucianism, at an estimated cost of 200 million yuan (US$24.096 million).
(Xinhua News Agency December 2, 2002)
