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How should we take advantage of "historic figures?"
(people's daily online)
Updated: 2010-04-02 10:13
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Opinions
In the past, most people just blamed the local governments for ungracefully grabbing economic interests, or mocked their "Ah Q mentality," or criticized experts and scholars who advocated playing the "historic figures" card. However, some have recently expressed their willingness to put a damper on the "historic figures" card, or simply hope that the local governments can turn disadvantages into advantages.
Pros: Playing the "historic figures" card is in accordance with a "low-carbon economy."
Almost all of public opinion criticizes exploiting historic figures, but an editorial recently published in the "Legal Evening News" showed no objection to this, but only expressed concerns over the matters following the "historic figures" card.
The editorial mentioned that it is reasonable for local governments to play the "historic figures" card in order to develop local tourism. These small places have neither economic mainstay nor support policy, and relying on historic figures is actually the same as relying on natural resources, for they are just two different ways to explore local resources. Furthermore, playing the "historic figures" card is in accordance with a "low-carbon economy," which is much better than developing polluting industries.
However, the author also pointed out that the local governments should think over questions such as how to best play the card and how long the card will be in effect. If the local governments only build some theme parks and antique-looking houses for historic figures without forming a cultural tourism industrial chain, it will be no different from real estate development. In addition to boosting GDP in the short-term, they will only have "vanity projects" left.
Cons: It is lazy of local governments to play the "historic figures" card.
"Some may think it is easier to play the 'historic figures' card to gain more economic interests," commented Zhengzhou Daily after the debates over the hometown of "Zhao Yun" (a brave general during the Three Kingdoms period).
The author said that Zhengding and Lincheng counties both claimed to be the hometown of Zhao Yun, but they were just shooting themselves in the foot. Are the ridiculous Zhao Yun projects intended to play down the culture of the Three Kingdoms? It is known to all that these projects will only damage their pre-existing cultural legacies. If they are so eager for quick success and instant benefits, while treating history in such a blundering way, they will definitely become the laughingstock of history.
The author also pointed out that even if local governments really want to play the "historic figures" card, there should be certain strategies. In most cases, they play the card under the influence of political power, which is actually misplaced. They think that the "Zhao Yun" card will produce instant benefits, but it is clear that they are oversimplifying a complex matter.
