How has the revival of Confucianism in contemporary China intersected with political struggles over “universal values” in the PRC? The lecture will focus on the case of the World Chu (Zhu) Family Association, particularly its promotion of the “Zhu Xi’s Family Instructions” since 1993. Despite a troubled relationship with the State in the 90s, the Association was able to utilize CCP policies in the early 21st century to promote Zhu’s Family Instructions publically, even suggesting that the Family Instructions should be regarded as China’s contribution to universal values. Leaders have refined these ideas in response to increasingly complex political situations since 2012.
