Okinawa lies in the eastern sea of China and is closely related to China. At the end of the 14th century (1372) when the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty Chu reigned in China, Okinawa became officially a part of China and remained so for five hundred years. Citizens with 36 surnames emigrated to Okinawa from China and their descendants are now living in Naha ( 那霸 ).

At the end of the 17th century (1672), a Confucian temple of Chinese style was erected in Okinawa. The Confucian memorial ceremony was held twice every year, presided over by the King of Okinawa himself. People of Okinawa hold Confucius in deep respect. The above mentioned Confucian temple was destroyed by the American bombers on 10th October, 1944, but thirty years later, in 1974, it was rebuilt, costing four million U.S. dollars. On 25th January, 1975, I was invited to preside over its inauguration.

Kung Te-Cheng, the 77th lineal descendent of Confucius.