Rao Zongyi: Chaoshan Study Is A Theory

·Chinese·

　　 Mr. Rao Zongyi, who initiated it, expressed his belief that Chaoshan study is a theory.
Rao said the theory was initiated eight years ago and still there are some voices of doubts that whether it can be called a theory.

　　The initiator, who is proficient in history, philosophy, art and mastering six different languages, stated there are two kinds of theories. One is founded by studying an area. And another, which is also called a school of thought, is followed by a person with a proper place in history. Chaoshan theory is the former. Its study object is the Chaoshan area, including its history and the people. The erudite old man said these at the course of lectures held by the Chaoshan History and Culture Study Center on Nov.22nd.

　　Mr. Rao said, as the contracts and bargains owned by Huizhou, "Qiaopi" is particularly owned by Chaoshan area. It was the note of remitting from overseas, which was in vogue before Liberation. The Chaoshan emigrants remitted to their relatives inland need it as a proof. And by studying "Qiaopi", we can know well about the activities of the emigrants at that time, and then, study the economic, politics and civilization of that country. Mr. Rao himself is starting his study by studying Chaoshan area.

　　Rao emphasized that Chaoshan theory needs a further development. He pointed out that we are still lacking in archaeology, and the theory is still short of some data before Tang Dynasty.
Talking about the Chaoshan History and Culture Study Center, Rao praised its sorting out history data, studying sorts of monographs and publishing the Chaoshan study books. He advised that a catalogue is necessary for all the books of Chaoshan theory, including the ones published by the Center and all the others studying Chaoshan area."After that, can't it be called a theory?" he said
.
　　At last, he encouraged the participants that a theory is accumulated little by little, it can't be perfect at one moment.

　　The coming "Rao Zongyi Works of 20th Century" is 100 million words all together. "Chaoshan Theory" is the 6th of the 12 volumes.

Picture One On behalf of the Chaoshan History and Culture Study Center, Liu Feng(right second), the Chairman of the executive council, welcomed the initiator of Chaoshan Study, Dr. Rao Zongyi (right third) and Mr. Chen Weinan(right first), who is the President of the Hong Kong Commercial Chamber and the Honorary President of Shantou City's People's Political Consultative Conference.
Picture Two Dr. Rao Zongyi gave lectures at the course of Chaoshan Study lectures in Shantou on Nov. 22nd.