"Peking Man" has arrived in Taipei.
In 1929, at Choukoutien, 24 miles southwest of Peiping, skull fragments and part of the skeleton of a prehistoric man were found in a cave. Scientific study ascertained that the bones were those of a man who lived in China more than 5,000 centuries ago.
Peking Man, or sinenthropus pekinensis, is considered priceless for its contributions to the study of human evolution. It was in the safekeeping of the Chinese government until December 5, 1941, when it was evacuated from Peiping by the captain of a U.S. naval squadron stationed in northern China. The captain's ship was said to have been intercepted by the Japanese navy and its crew captured.
Last year Ignatius Pao, director of the National Historical Museum in Taipei, visited the Museum of Natural History in New York. There he saw a replica of the reconstructed skull and bust—made of plaster-of-Paris. It was presented to the museum by one of the American anthropologists who participated in the original reconstruction.
Another plaster replica was made for the Republic of China and is now on display at the National Historical Museum in Taipei.
Peking Man is believed to have been about five feet tall. His bodily proportions were similar to those of modern man. The forehead is more receding and the eyes more protuberant than in modern man.
Space Probe
The space probe of Mariner 4 and its pictures of Mars sent back to earth over 142.5 million miles won the plaudits of Chinese scientists.
Dr. Wang Shih-cheh, president of Academia Sinica, said: "The remarkable achievement removes any shadow of doubt about U.S. leadership in the space race."
S. M. Lee, director of the Institute of Electronics, Chiaotung University, and secretary-general to the Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan, said Mars long has been a puzzle to scientists. "The new space adventure," he said, "is something scientists the world over can be proud of."
Kenneth Cheng, director of the Taiwan Weather Bureau, said: "Space probers are no longer confined to the telescope. They have broken away from it. Mariner 4 has opened up a new world to astronomers."
Ocean Research
Thirty-three Chinese scientists are participating in an international study of Kuroshio (the Japan Current) aboard the Chinese Navy ship Yangming. Dr. Yuan Wei-chow, professor of geology at the National Taiwan University, heads the group. The ship is cruising waters near Taiwan to collect information on marine life, currents, weather, and geological features.
The research is sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Twenty-nine ships from the United States, Great Britain, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Vietnam will participate.
Cultural Edifices
Changhua County will build a historical museum on Pakua hill at a cost of US$375,000. Half of the money will be donated by the people of Changhua.
Nearing completion is the new Palace Museum at Waishuangshi in suburban Taipei. A four-story building in the classical Chinese palace style, it will house some 300,000 artistic treasures. Opening is scheduled for November 12, which will inaugurate the centennial year of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Republic of China. Construction cost is about US$l million. Administration will be under joint supervision of the National Palace and Central Museums.
A new library will be established at the graduate school of chemical engineering of the College of Chinese Culture. Dr. Thomas Liao and his brothers have given US$5,000 to the school, which will be open this fall with Liao as director.
Liao, one-time leader of the "Taiwan Independence Movement", returned home this year and pledged allegiance to his country and President Chiang Kai-shek. He accepted the invitation of Chang Chi-yun, former education minister and founder of the College of Chinese Culture, to head the new graduate school of chemical engineering. He also has been named a member of the Mainland Recovery Planning Board.
Ceramics to U.S.
The National Historical Museum will send three pieces of porcelain and three of pottery to the 10th International Exhibition of Ceramic Arts opening in Washington October 29. All are modern pieces in the traditional Chinese style.
A 10-day exhibition of ceramics has just been held at the National Historical Museum. Marc than 600 ancient and modern pieces were shown. Films of manufacturing procedures were screened.
Nine-Point Plan
To meet the requirements of the nation's fast-growing economy, the Taiwan Provincial Government has drawn up a nine-point plan for developing vocational education:
1. Emphasis of the five-year training program combining junior and senior middle schools.
2. Promotion of city and county vocational schools to the provincial level.
3. Establishment of new schools to serve industry.
4. Training of technicians for fishery and shipping.
5. Stress on animal husbandry and forestry.
6. Specialized training for commerce.
7. Personnel training to meet the needs of tourism.
8. Introduction of the apprentice system.
9. Upgrading or replacement of junior vocational schools.
Visiting Teachers
A 102-member group of the Comparative Education Society of the United States spent a fruitful week in Taiwan. They attended a seminar in Taipei and visited educational and cultural institutions.
Four U.S. professors from the East-West Center of the University of Hawaii gave lectures on audio-visual education at a four-week seminar sponsored by the Education Ministry. The seminar at the National Chengchi University was attended by 30 teachers from colleges and high schools.
Students Abroad
Miss Jean Tai, 21, is playing violin with half a dozen symphony orchestras in New England. Now in her senior year at the College of Music, University of Hartford, she has won scholarships and acclaim.
Miss Tai's father is David Tai, violinist and head of the Music Department of the Taiwan Provincial Normal University. Her mother is a pianist and concert singer. Miss Tai will return to Taiwan next summer.
Miss Wu Yi-lan, teen-age daughter of Colonel Wu Wei-kuang, military attache of the Chinese Embassy in Madrid, recently passed the entrance examination of the Spanish Royal Art Academy of Madrid. Five hundred took the test and only 30 passed.
Death of A Teacher
Prof. J. W. Dyson, retired head of the department of foreign languages at Soochow University, died of a heart attack as he was about to return to the United States July 16. The 77-year-old American scholar had devoted more than half a lifetime to China.
At 65, when the Methodist Church asked if he wanted to retire, he declined. The Republic of China twice cited him in its "Good People and Good Deeds" awards.
Seamen's Training
Holding its first board meeting, the National Maritime Development Institute decided to open classes for training of merchant shipping personnel. Recruits will be sought from among college graduates. A group of specialists soon will be available for consultations on technical shipping matters.
The institute is assisted by the United Nations Special Fund.
Social Education
Taiwan's Provincial Government is undertaking a 10-year, US$2.5 million project to establish 11 social education institutions, 13 stadiums, 6 libraries, and 2 museums. Vocational schools will offer short-term and night classes to serve 3,577,500 persons. Special classes will be set up for the disabled and nurseries opened for working mothers.
An island-wide television network with 380 stations is planned. Mobile movie teams will be organized.