Officials and academics discussed the significance of probity culture exemplified by ancient figures Duke Shao and Party cadre Jiao Yulu at the seventh Chinese Probity Culture Forum at the Incorruption Education Base in Sanmenxia, Central China’s Henan province, on Oct 22.

The forum focused on the spirit of two model officials, Duke Shao, whose benevolent governance won the hearts of people during the Western Zhou Dynasty (BC 1046-771), and Jiao Yulu (1922-1964), a devoted county Party chief who dedicated himself to the improvement of local people's lives and the development of Lankao county in Henan province in the early 1960s.

At 8am, experts worshiped the statue of Duke Shao and learned stories about him at the education base.

Participants of the seventh Chinese Probity Culture Forum visit the ancient hall in Gantang Yuan at the Incorruption Education Base in Sanmenxia on Oct 22. [Photo/smx.gov.cn]

Duke Shao, together with the Duke of Zhou, helped their nephew King Cheng consolidate the kingdom established by their father King Wen of Zhou and brother King Wu.

Duke Shao is a famous philosopher, politician, and founder of the civil servant concept. He used to handle civil affairs under a birch leaf pear tree in the field. To memorialize the virtuous and capable official, local residents continued to take care of the tree, create poems and built a temple in his honor.

“Duke Shao’s simple lifestyle and his efforts to encourage the free airing of views and promote people’s wellbeing are of great exemplary significance to today’s leading cadres. The pristine probity culture should be passed down,” said Guo Zhihui, former director of the Party work style office in the Heilongjiang Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Wu Qimin, director of a center that studies the culture of Duke Shao at the Chinese Culture Promotion Society, addressed the forum:

“Duke Shao set a good example for civil servants 3,000 years ago, and we are proud to see the spirit inherited by Party cadres like Jiao Yulu. The probity culture in China has a profound tradition and we need to develop the fine traditions in modern times.”

Liang Shaohui, a researcher from the Hunan Provincial Academy of Social Science; Lin Min, a tenured member of the Beijing Research Institute of Culture and History; and other scholars made academic reports on the probity culture derived from Duke Shao at the forum.

“A systematic study of probity culture from Duke Shao to Party cadre Jiao Yulu has shown the sparkling spirit of Chinese history. The forum helps us to have a deep understanding of traditional probity culture and has practical significance for the anti-corruption campaign in our efforts to build a harmonious society,” concluded Yu Guanghua, vice-chairman of the Chinese Culture Promotion Society.

Yang Shuping, secretary of the Sanmenxia municipal Party committee, said that the probity culture forum held in Sanmenxia was an overall inspection of the city’s Party work style and would strengthen Sanmenxia’s efforts to promote clean government and combat corruption in the future.

The Chinese Probity Culture Forum was initiated by the Huaxia Probity Culture Research Association in Hunan province. It has been held in Changsha, Beijing, Taiwan and other cities since 2007.

Officials and experts discuss the significance of probity culture exemplified by ancient Duke Shao and Party cadre Jiao Yulu at the seventh Chinese Probity Culture Forum in Sanmenxia. [Photo/Xinhua]