“ ‘The Sun Yat-sen Prize in Academics’ would be established in Guangdong, which could help to nurture and recruit talented people as well as promoting the province’s academic status and influence in China and abroad.” During the interview yesterday, Tian Feng, president of the provincial Social Sciences Association, expressed his hope to cooperate with Zhongshan to make the prize a provincial and national cultural event. The way of selection could model on that of the Nobel Prize, and the prize could be awarded every one year or two years.

Tian Feng pointed out that “A culturally-advanced province should focus on its cultural brands. The construction of culture should emphasize the characteristics of culture.” He believes that Zhuhai, Zhongshan, and Jiangmen are different. Zhuhai is featured by the culture of the special zone, Zhongshan by modern culture and Jiangmen by the culture of Overseas Chinese. Only when each culture is distinguished, could the construction of culture develop continuously with its own soul and have a place in the world culture.

Sun Yat-sen was a master of thought and culture in modern Chinese history. His theory with the three principles of the people lies in the core and his work entitled The General Principles of National Reconstruction have far-reaching influences today. Mr. Tian pointed out that the thoughts of Sun Yat-sen have great influence on the development of modernization, the reunification of China, the improvement of China’s cultural influence as well as the great cause of rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Sun Yat-sen is the most important cultural brand of Guangdong, and it is “the best time” to focus on Sun Yat-sen in the cultural strategy.

Mr. Tian conceives the award of the Sun Yat-sen Prize in Academics to be from 500,000 to 1, 000, 000 yuan to encourage individuals.

As for the selection of and the various prizes related to the Sun Yat-sen Prize, Tian Feng indicates that way of selection could follow that of the Nobel Prize, namely, academicians are free to register and then experts vote strictly. The prize could be awarded every one year or two years. The initial plan includes three prizes: history, philosophy, and economics. When the prize becomes full developed in the future, the prizes in literature, arts and news could also be established.