Explainer | Why it is the end of the road for The Ugly Chinaman
- Late Taiwanese author Bo Yang gained notoriety with his harsh critique of how Chinese viewed their own culture and the country’s modernisation
- There will be no further editions after contracts expire in 2024, as widow says book has served its purpose
Chang Hsiang-hua, a writer, poet and teacher, has decided to permanently suspend publication of The Ugly Chinaman after existing contracts expire in 2024, according to Taiwan’s China Times newspaper.
This came after Chang repeatedly rejected requests to include excerpts of the book in Taiwan’s Chinese-language curriculum, citing the “inappropriateness” of its content as well as the anti-mainland sentiment in the island’s school system.
Who was Bo Yang?
Bo Yang was the pen name of Guo Yidong, a Taiwanese writer, historian, philosopher and human rights activist who died in 2008 at the age of 88.
What is ‘The Ugly Chinaman’ about?
The work originated from a speech Bo Yang delivered at the University of Iowa in 1984. The speech was later published in a Hong Kong magazine which set off controversial literary battles among its readers. It was subsequently compiled as a book with other essays and readers’ letters, and went through numerous reprints. The book was reportedly banned in mainland China until 2000.
In it, Bo Yang harshly criticised the problems of Chinese culture and targeted what he saw as the despicable nature of the Chinese. They were depicted by him as being noisy, crude and dirty and a people who could never become united.
Why is the book so controversial?
The book was criticised for slandering all that traditionalist Chinese held dear. Its portrayal of the complicated feelings of pride and shame harboured by Chinese regarding their culture and the country’s modernisation drew intense reactions from readers in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities alike.
Why would Chang ‘self-censor’ her late husband’s work?
Chang feels that The Ugly Chinaman has served its purpose.
“Bo Yang himself had repeatedly instructed that publication of the book be suspended once mainland Chinese culture and civilisation had progressed,” Chang said in a statement to Taiwanese media.
She also wished readers would pay more attention to Bo Yang’s historical works.
Why did Chang say no to excerpts in the school curriculum?
According to the China Times report, Chang said she could not agree with the anti-mainland China sentiment in Taiwan’s education system and new curriculum.
She criticised the current curriculum for enforcing what she called a “de-sinicisation” drive, by downplaying classical Chinese teachings and Chinese culture in language and history textbooks.
She also feared that the title of Bo Yang’s work would be manipulated by Taiwanese politicians to slander mainland China.
She had refused requests from Taiwanese education authorities to have excerpts included in local textbooks since 2016.
