A mainland spokeswoman on Wednesday stressed that no one can deprive Taiwan compatriots of their right to receive education on Chinese culture and learn about the history of the Chinese nation.
Zhu Fenglian, the spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a regular press conference in Beijing when responding to a media query regarding the recent criticism of the current school curriculum guidelines in Taiwan, which have removed plenty of content of Chinese history and culture.
According to media reports in the Taiwan region, a parent recently expressed disbelief that their high school-aged child had no knowledge of who "Yu the Great" was in the context of the story of "Great Yu Controlling the Waters."
Saying that Chinese culture is the shared spiritual heritage of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Zhu welcomes Taiwan compatriots to visit the mainland during the upcoming summer vocation to eye the landmarks that disappeared from their current textbooks under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities.
"From 'not knowing Chinese history' to now not knowing 'who Yu the Great is, the 'toxic curriculum guidelines' promoted by the Democratic Progressive Party authorities are misleading juveniles in Taiwan away from their cultural roots, which has raised deep concerns among the public. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of the Chinese nation and Chinese culture is their mutual spiritual lifeblood. No one can deprive Taiwan compatriots of their right to receive education on Chinese culture and learn about the history of the Chinese nation," Zhu said.
"Summer vocation is just around the corner. Taiwan compatriots, especially juveniles, are warmly welcomed to come to visit the mainland. They can visit the hometown of Yu the Great in Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County, Sichuan Province to listen to the story of Yu the Great's efforts in controlling the waters. They can visit Yongzhou City in Hunan Province to recite Liu Zongyuan's 'My First Visit To Western Hills'. They can also go to Shaoxing City of Zhejiang Province to copy Wang Xizhi's 'Preface to the Poems Collected from the Orchid Pavilion'. Lastly, in Chibi City of Hubei Province, they can reflect on the Battle of Red Cliffs that happened during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD). Whatever has been erased in textbooks in Taiwan can be found, seen, and experienced on the mainland," said Zhu.
Taiwan compatriots of right to Chinese cultural education undeprivable: spokeswoman
