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1. (Cont'd)

questions were raised. nature.

"Public Education" No.2,1950.

1.

Together with these and other general questions, a multitude of particular They wore all of a businesslike, concrete.

In conversation our Chinesc 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 Chinose 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 yoko, 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: "Soviot 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 now 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 delegatos warmly and enthusiastically.

The visit to the Peking girls' school under the pedagogic institute is not to be forgotten. As we passod through the school courtyard in front of the pupils drawn up in lino, the girls unfeignedly and warmly expressed their enthusiasm and love for the Soviet Union. They shouted slogans of grecting and simply friendly words in resounding throaty voices. The number of hands cxtended 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 education, culture and science,

the questions of public 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.

!