BEIJING (Reuters) - A new, official and smiling image of Confucius has sparked philosophical debate in China over whether it is needed and whether or not it looks anything like him.

　　近日，一座崭新的、面带微笑的孔子官方雕像引起了人们关于哲学意义的讨论。人们在讨论雕像的出现是否有必要，雕像是否和孔子本人相似。

　　Critics say the image, commissioned by the China Confucius Foundation and unveiled in a bronze statue at the weekend, is unabashed commercialism and that there is no way to tell if it bears any resemblance to the philosopher, who was born in 551 BC.

　　上周末，中国孔子基金会为这座铜制孔子像揭幕。批评人士指出，这座雕像有着明显的重商主义色彩，并且也无法判断它与那位出生于公元前551年的哲学家是否有相似之处。

　　Designers of the statue say that doesn't matter.

　　雕像的设计师表示，这些都不重要。

　　"What matters is his founding of Confucianism，which features harmony and peace and constitutes the essence of Chinese culture," Xinhua news agency on Monday quoted Zhang Shuhua, secretary-general of the foundation, as saying.

　　新华社在周一援引孔子基金会秘书长张书华（音译）的话说：“重要的是孔子是儒教的创始人。儒教以和谐、和平为原神，是中华文化的精髓。

　　The 225-cm (88-inch) bronze statue depicts Confucius as a kind, old man with a square face, long beard, broad mouth and thick brows. He wears a Chinese-style robe and his hands are crossed on his chest.

　　这座高225厘米的铜像将孔子塑造为一位神态和善、四方脸、长胡须、厚嘴唇、浓眉毛的老者。他身着长衫，两手在胸前交叉。

　　The designers referred to the most recognisable portrait of Confucius that dates back at least 1,100 years, Xinhua said.

　　新华社表示，铜像的创作者根据至少有1100年历史的可信度最高的一幅孔子画像塑造了这尊铜像。

　　（国际在线教育专稿 蒋黎黎）