environment, but rather, continue to reflect upon
themselves and critically analyse their failings and
mistakes.
Q5. Confucian ethical concepts and practices
include: the ren, yi, li, and zhi. Please elaborate
on the importance of ren, or compassion, as
the “essence of heaven” in a human being.
JK: The Chinese word 忍, ren, is variously
interpreted as meaning ‘love’, ‘benevolence’ or
‘compassion’. To treat other human beings with
benevolence and humanity should be the basis of
human interaction in a society. Without “ren”, the
world would not function as we know it. It is that
simple.
Q6. You live between London and China as
a truly international representative of the
Confucius family and work along with your
grandfather, Kong Deyong, who heads the
Confucius family in Hong Kong, tending
to the formal duties and obligations for
the Confucius family. What are a few of
the significant events that you participate
in annually as honorable members of the
Confucius family?
JK: I am not always able to participate in all the
ceremonies, unfortunately, but I am always happy
when I can and do so. The two main ceremonies I
have taken part in are the Family Tree Ceremony
and the Sweeping the Graves Ceremony. In 2012,
it was my first time leading the family out for
Confucius’ birthday ceremony in Qufu, China. My
grandfather, regrettably, was unwell and my father
was busy working in Shanghai at the time, so it was
up to me and my mother to complete the tradition. I
have to admit, I was rather nervous, but immensely
proud to have that responsibility. I had only just
turned 19 years of age at the time. There was a bit of
judgment from some family members as I am the
first mixed race descendent to do so. My mother is
blonde and so sticks out like a sore thumb too! But,
I did my duty in place of my elders, so I am very
pleased with how it went. One of the most important
ceremonies which is not annual but sticks in my
mind was the updating of the family tree in 2009.
My grandfather added women to the family tree for
the first time, and it was the first complete edition
since before the cultural revolution, more than 70
years from my grandfather’s update. That ceremony
was a huge moment in our family history, as well as,
China’s national history. I am forever proud of my
grandfather for the work he has done.
Q7. What do you perceive as Confucius’ largest
influence on today’s modern Chinese culture?
JK: China is a country that has developed so quickly
and so brilliantly over the last 50 years that it has
been hard for it to really keep or “find again” an
identity as it modernises and capitalises on opening