The Digital Archive of Chinese Studies at the University of Heidelberg has translated the list of 50 Influential Public Intellectuals in China, originally published in 2004 in the Nanfang renwu zhoukan (Southern People Weekly), and compiled a record of their publications and of the debate over public intellectuals:
The “Public Intellectuals” issue was heatedly debated in the Chinese media and on the Internet in fall 2004 and proved to be one of the most contentious topics of the year. The debate was initiated by Nanfang renwu zhoukan ÂçóÊñπ‰∫∫Áâ©Âë®Âàä, a journal belonging to the Nanfang ribao group and run by Nanfang zhoumo ÂçóÊñπÂë®Êú´, the newspaper renowned for its cutting-edge investigative journalism. In a special issue cover-dated Sept. 8, 2004, Nanfang renwu zhoukan presented a list of fifty intellectuals and public personages it considered essential in shaping public discourse in the PRC (in fact, the list adds up to fifty-six if a “honorary list” is added, the latter comprising the names of six intellectuals deceased in recent years, but whose contributions continue to influence current debates). The list was accompanied by short biographies of each individual, as well as several articles discussing the concept of “public intellectuals.” [Full text]
