by Zhang Jianhua
The
Old Royal Naval College has opened Britain's first major exhibition on the life
of Yan Fu, a renowned Chinese thinker, educator and translator who served as a
cultural bridge between China and Britain more than 100 years ago.
Yan Fu, born in 1854, was one of the
first ever Chinese students to study in Britain. In 1877, he was sent to the
then Royal Naval College in Greenwich in London to study naval expertise and
went on to become one of the most influential intellectuals in modern China.
The exhibition, named Yan Fu andChinese Imperial Students at the Royal Naval College, showcased a myriad
of historical documents, books, artefacts and photographs, seeking to portray
the life and times of this extraordinary thinker and his fellow Chinese
schoolmates.
After finishing his studies in 1879, Yan
Fu returned to China and became an accomplished "enlightenment"
thinker, translating and introducing to China Evolution and Ethics, The Wealth of
Nations and The Spirit of the Laws
among many other works.
The two years he spent in London helped
shape his ideas and deepen his understanding of Western culture and society
that contributed to his future career.
Through his writings and translations,
Yan Fu presented the people of China with insights into Europe's natural,
social, and political sciences as well as theories of economics and philosophy,
which were much needed in China at the dawn of its turbulent journey to
modernity.
Yan Fu is still highly regarded in China
today for his pioneering role in Chinese modern history.
At the opening ceremony for the
exhibition, Chinese ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming said Yan laid the
intellectual foundations for the changes that were in desperate need in Chinese
society a century ago.
"Imperial China and British Empire
are both no more. Down here in Greenwich much of the Royal Naval College has
become the University of Greenwich. But, those larger-than-life figures and
their life's work are as relevant and inspiring as ever," Liu said.
The Chinese envoy noted that Yan Fu will
be remembered for his openness and inclusiveness, his courage to herald reform,
and his commitment to promoting understanding between cultures and civilisations.
"Instead of one Yan Fu, we have
thousands of them well versed in both cultures and working hard for the
betterment of our relations in business, education, culture, science and
technology and many other fields," he added.
The exhibition, curated by a group of
experts on Yan Fu, was organized by the Old Royal Naval College in partnership
with the Yan Fu Foundation. It runs until 1st February next year.
Xinhua
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