The new History textbook for High School students in Shanghai

[Ian_Lee]

Like Japan, China is starting to revise its History textbook for High School students (at least in Shanghai):

http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=3966

Some interesting points:

(1) Mao is only mentioned once -- as an example to show why flag should be lowered at half mast;

(2) Bill Gates, NYSE, J.P. Morgan and Bullet Train received special coverage;

(3) A chapter on the origin of necktie;

(4) Qin Shihuang had not killed the Confucian scholars and burnt the books;

(5) Wen Tianxiang --- huh...Who was he???

[Peng]

About necktie, according to reference.com

Fact of the Day: neckwear

Neckwear is a collective term for items worn around the neck. The earliest known version of the necktie was found in the massive mausoleum of China's first emperor, Shih Huang Ti, who was buried in 210 BC. The tie as we know it was first worn by men in the 18th and 19th centuries and evolved in the late 19th century to become an essential item of menswear.

(Scratches head)

Qin Shihuang haven't burnt a whole books... I think Xiang Yu (項羽) burnt the rest of books during destorying E'Pang Palace after the death of Qin Shihuang...

Wen Tianxiang (文天祥) is a scholar then prime minister of south Song dynasty. He desperately tried to protect Song against Yuan or Mongol invasion. His late life (being a prisoner of Yuan) is pretty sad. I admire him since I was kid reading Chinese comic of him.

I guess, people have to rewrite after finding new stuff from history.

[md1101]

i guess they are taking the approach "if you've got nothing good to say don't say anything at all"

[Hero Doug]

You know I heard they were trying to get away from the whole Maoism theme they going on over here, see's that I may have heard right.

Doesn't seem like there is anything too controversial either.