莫讓七不講成為七傷拳

<轉載自2013年5月13日 明報 社評>

據內地多個大學教師消息透露，內地有關部門近期向各高等院校下達「七不講」指示，要求老師不講普世價值、新聞自由、公民社會、公民權利、黨的歷史錯誤、權貴資產階級、司法獨立。雖然事件未得到官方證實，但相關消息已成微博上禁忌的敏感詞，令人不禁憂心忡忡。

 

少年弱智，則中國弱智。高等教育是學校正規教育的最高階段，也是社會理性探討的合適平台。中國古代就有「大學之道，在明明德，在親民，在止於至善」之說，「士志於道」，即追求真理，是中國大學精神的千年根基；在現代，大學自治和學術自由是大學制度的兩塊基石，其實質是鼓勵師生自由、自主、自律地追求真理與探究學術。大學不僅要對現在負責，更要義不容辭地擔當起為整個國家和社會的未來負責的重任。大學不僅要順應社會、服務社會，更應該要有獨立的品格、自由的思想和深邃的理性。現代大學之母柏林洪堡大學（Humboldt-Universitat）的創辦人洪堡（Wilhelm von Humboldt）即提出：「學術自由觀念是大學的核心。」中國《教師法》在第7條也寫明，教師的權利包括「在學術活動中充分發表意見」。由此可見，「七不講」不僅與中國傳統及現代大學的普遍原則格格不入，也違反了中國現行的法律規定。

在「七不講」中，普世價值、新聞自由和公民權利都是全球絕大多數人的共識；權貴資本主義則一定是社會主義原則的天敵；中共歷史上的錯誤，從反右、「大躍進」，到「文革」，都已編入現行大學生黨史教材，根本算不上禁忌；至於司法獨立，憲法也明文規定法院和檢察院依法獨立行使司法權，「不受行政機關、社會團體和個人的干涉」；對公民社會一詞，雖有不同理解，但也不應該禁止討論。恰恰相反，作為學術研究、理性探討的平台，大學校園正是討論上述話題的最佳場所。

國家主席習近平在3月全國人大閉幕會議上論述「中國夢」時曾經表示，「中國夢歸根到底是人民的夢，必須緊緊依靠人民來實現……我們要隨時隨刻傾聽人民呼聲、回應人民期待，保證人民平等參與、平等發展權利，維護社會公平正義……」在民智已開的今天，「七不講」不僅對於維持社會的和諧穩定是緣木求魚，更與「中國夢」的大方向背道而馳。因此，我們呼籲，如果「七不講」是誤傳謠言，有關方面應盡速澄清，如果確有其事，中央應及早糾正錯誤，收回成命，勿做「搬起石頭砸自己的腳」的蠢事，莫讓「七不講」成為實現中國夢的「七傷拳」。

Editorial


Gag Order Inimical to China

ACCORDING TO a number of university teachers in mainland China, the authorities have recently issued instructions to all institutions of higher learning, telling teachers not to discuss with students seven topics, namely universal values, freedom of the press, a civic society, civic rights, historical mistakes made by the Communist Party, elite cronyism, and judicial independence. While this gag order has not been officially confirmed, it has become a sensitive search item blocked on Sina Weibo. This is really disturbing.

 

The ancient Chinese believed in the "Great Learning, which involves the promotion of virtue, the renovation of the people, and the quest for excellence". The ancient saying "a scholar's mind is set on truth" shows that the search for the good and the beautiful has for more than a thousand years been the cornerstone of China's higher education. Today, institutional autonomy and academic freedom are the two major foundation stones of the university system, and serve to encourage teachers and students in their quest for truth and knowledge. The university not only is accountable to the present generation, but also has the important moral responsibility of working for the future of the country and the people. As Wilhelm von Humboldt, founder of Berlin's Humboldt University, said, "Academic freedom is the core value of the University" - and his university is the mother of all modern universities. Article 7 of the Teachers Law of China also states that teachers' rights include the right to "fully express their views in academic activities". It can thus be seen that the gag order not only is at variance with China's traditional values and the general principles of a modern university, but also violates the law currently in force in China.

Of the "seven topics not to discuss", universal values, freedom of the press, and civic rights are held dear by the absolute majority of the world's population, while elite cronyism is naturally against the principles of socialism. And historical mistakes made by the Communist Party, ranging from the Great Leap Forward to the Cultural Revolution, cannot possibly be taboo issues since they are included in the syllabus of the Party History course taught at universities. As for judicial independence, the Constitution of the People's Republic of China clearly stipulates that the courts and procuratorates shall exercise their powers independently, "and are not subject to interference by any administrative organ, public organisation or individual". Finally, while the term "civic society" is open to different interpretations, there is no reason why discussions in this respect should be forbidden. On the contrary, as a platform for academic and objective research, the university is the best place for the exploration of the topic.

In March this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping talked about the China Dream at the closing session of the National People's Congress, saying that "the China dream is, in the last analysis, the people's dream, the achievement of which depends very much on the people.... We must always listen to the people and respond to their expectations, guarantee their right to equal participation and development, and maintain social justice...." As the people today have their eyes and ears wide open, the gag order can in no way contribute to social harmony and stability. In fact, it is in direct contradiction to the China Dream. We are therefore of opinion that, if the "gag order" rumour is unfounded, the authorities should immediately make the necessary clarifications; and if it is well founded, the central government should have the order revoked as soon as possible.

明報社評2013.05.13﹕莫讓七不講成為七傷拳

據內地多個大學教師消息透露，內地有關部門近期向各高等院校下達「七不講」指示，要求老師不講普世價值、新聞自由、公民社會、公民權利、黨的歷史錯誤、權貴資產階級、司法獨立。雖然事件未得到官方證實，但相關消息已成微博上禁忌的敏感詞，令人不禁憂心忡忡。

中國古代就有「大學之道，在明明德，在親民，在止於至善」之說，「士志於道」，即追求真理，是中國大學精神的千年根基；在現代，大學自治和學術自由是大學制度的兩塊基石，其實質是鼓勵師生追求真理與探究學術。大學不僅要對現在負責，更要義不容辭地擔當起為整個國家和社會的未來負責的重任。現代大學之母柏林洪堡大學的創辦人洪堡即提出：「學術自由觀念是大學的核心。」中國《教師法》在第7條也寫明，教師的權利包括「在學術活動中充分發表意見」。由此可見，「七不講」不僅與中國傳統及現代大學的普遍原則格格不入，也違反了中國現行的法律規定。

在「七不講」中，普世價值、新聞自由和公民權利都是全球絕大多數人的共識；權貴資本主義則一定是社會主義原則的天敵；中共歷史上的錯誤，從「大躍進」到「文革」，都已編入現行大學生黨史教材，根本算不上禁忌；至於司法獨立，憲法也明文規定法院和檢察院依法獨立行使司法權，「不受行政機關、社會團體和個人的干涉」；對公民社會一詞，雖有不同理解，但也不應該禁止討論。恰恰相反，作為學術研究、理性探討的平台，大學校園正是討論上述話題的最佳場所。

國家主席習近平在3月全國人大閉幕會議上論述「中國夢」時曾經表示，「中國夢歸根到底是人民的夢，必須緊緊依靠人民來實現……我們要隨時隨刻傾聽人民呼聲、回應人民期待，保證人民平等參與、平等發展權利，維護社會公平正義……」在民智已開的今天，「七不講」不僅對於維持社會的和諧穩定是緣木求魚，更與「中國夢」的大方向背道而馳。因此，我們呼籲，如果「七不講」是誤傳謠言，有關方面應盡速澄清，如果確有其事，中央應及早收回成命。