Nearly 60 percent of Chinese people see a decline in the authority of scholars and experts, according to a survey of 2,186 people conducted by China Youth Daily.
Twenty percent believed there had been no change in their authority and 13.5 percent argued their reputation was on the rise, the survey showed.
As to the reason behind the decline, 74 percent think that there are too many "bogus experts" and 68 percent believe many experts did not parade their sense of social responsibility and just speak for some interest groups.
Since more scholars and experts increasingly intervene in public affairs, socialist Ai Jun said the media are more likely to invite famous and popular scholars to comment on issues, but are rarely concerned about their knowledge on the subject.
Besides, many scholars are fast becoming spokespeople for special interest groups. When the groups face a public relations crisis, they will come out to speak in their defense leading the public to distrust them, said Zhang Ming, an expert with Renmin University.
What kind of experts and scholars are needed? 89 percent of those surveyed believed social conscience should stand first in the must-have personalities, followed by professional quality and social knowledge.
The survey also shows that 55 percent of people hoped experts would face up to their mistakes and be responsible with their words.
"Famous" speech of Chinese experts
“Low-rent housing should not have toilets so that rich people will not buy them. ”
--Mao Yushi, famous economist
“The gap between rich and poor is not big enough. Only when the gap is big enough, the society can progress.”
--Li Yining, economist at Beijing University
“Theirs is no bubble in China’s real-estate industry. Both divorce and keeping a mistress need houses. Also companionate marriage stimulates the need of housing. ”
--Dong Fan, property professor at Peking Normal University
“I know situations there without going to the site because I am expert.”
--Zhang Xinbao, researcher at Chinese Academy of Science, talking about the reconstruction at Wenchuan after earthquake.
“Bicycles produce more pollution than cars.”
--Wang Wei, transportation professor at Southeast University
(China Youth International/Chinadaily.com.cn)
