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In conversation our Chinese comrades stressed that the experience of the Soviet Union was of immense significance to them, although in studying and borrowing from this experience they undoubtedly will take into consideration the special, peculiar conditions in their own country. To study the experience of the Soviet Union, to learn from the Soviet country this is the path which the Chinese people and advanced Chinese intellectuals are planning in order to overcome as quickly as possible the temporary backwardness of the country which was an inevitable consequence of the many years of the imperialist yoke, of feudal divisions and internal reaction which dominated China for long years. The author and prominent politician, Kuo Mo-jo, speaking at one of the farewell meetings with the Soviet delegation, said: "Soviet people are our teachers, we are your pupils. And remember, comrades, we want to be good pupils".

The desire to learn from the Soviet Union explains the active aspiration of the Chinese people to master the Russian language. Wherever it is possible, in the higher educational institutions, in the schools, at every kind of course, the Russian language, the great language of Lenin and Stalin, is now taught.

During the stay of our delegation in new China I had occasion to visit a number of schools, kindergartens, pedagogic and other higher educational institutions.

Each time I was profoundly moved by the reception given the Soviet guests by the Chinese schoolchildren. They invariably greeted the delegates warmly and enthusiastically.

The visit to the Peking girls' school under the pedagogic institute is not to be forgotten. As we passed through the school courtyard in front of the pupils drawn up in line, the girls unfeignedly and warmly expressed their enthusiasm and love for the Soviet Union. They shouted slogans of greeting and simply friendly words in resounding throaty voices. The number of hands extended for us to shake was infinite. As I walked they showered on me touching children's gifts, stuffing into my hands and pockets little pictures, notes, fixing emblems to my costume, loading my arms with flowers.

The school buildings were decorated with slogans: "Greetings to the Soviet delegates who have come to give us friendly aid!", "Long live the Soviet Union", "Long live Soviet-Chinese Friendship"...

After the proclamation of the Chinese People's Republic, a Ministry of Education and a Ministry of Culture were formed. They handle the questions of public education, culture and science. Ma Hsu-lun, a representative of the Association of Chinese Progressive Democrats, and the Communist Chiang Hsun-chua were appointed Minister of Education and his Deputy respectively.

The central administrations for pre-school education, elementary, secondary schools and for universities, and the Committee for Higher Education Affairs form part of the Ministry of Education. This Committee effects methodical management of educational and scientific work in all the higher schools, regardless of their allegiance, it provides them with textbooks and teaching aids and effects supervision of their work through inspectors.

In the provinces education branches were formed under departments, and in the districts public education sections were established. Special representatives are being sent into rural areas to solve the questions of public education...

The Ministry of Education relies on the considerable experience already accumulated in Northern China, and above all on experience in the recently liberated areas of China...

Great and important tasks lie ahead of the Ministry of Education.

For the time being there is in China no accurate computation of illiterates. The Ministry of Education considers that the percentage of il- literates to the whole population amounts to approximately 80% and in the countryside reaches 90%...

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