China recognises Confucius women kin for first time

BEIJING, Sep 27 (Reuters) Women are to be recognised for the first time as descendants of Confucius in a new family tree of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Xinhua news agency said today.

''We have to adapt to the times,'' it quoted Kong Dehong, a descendant heading the fifth update of the family tree, as saying, adding that more than 1 million descendants of Confucius will be added.

''Men and women are equal now. Even if a woman has to leave the family when she gets married to live with her husband, that doesn't change the fact that she is descended from Confucius.'' The fifth-century BC social philosopher's ideas of filial piety and deference to elders influence Chinese society and politics even today.

But in traditional Confucian thinking women were accorded little status, beyond being expected to serve their menfolk.

Kong, speaking at a festival in Confucius's hometown in Qufu in the eastern province of Shandong, said the new family tree was expected to be released in 2009, adding he estimated there to more than 3 million living descendants.

Association with Confucianism was fatal during the tumult of the Cultural Revolution, when ''old China'' and its traditions were condemned as reactionary by fervent Communist Red Guards.

But since the 1990s, Beijing has been encouraging Confucianism as part of celebrating traditional Chinese culture -- and of pushing a message of obedience to those in power.

A new, official image of Confucius, unveiled in a bronze statue at the weekend, has sparked debate in China over whether it is needed and whether or not it looks anything like him.

REUTERS DKB DS1302