Former teacher praises Mo Yan  

莫言“伯乐”徐怀中称其26年前已具大师潜质

12日晚间，诺贝尔文学奖获得者、著名作家莫言获评“2012中华文化人物”。其颁授活动在河北省廊坊市举行，莫言上榜但未能出席。作为莫言的讲述嘉宾，徐怀中因病也未能出现在当晚的颁奖礼上。中华文化促进会副主席陆文虎宣读了徐怀中讲述词，披露徐怀中在26年前的一篇评论中，就已断言莫言具有大师潜质。

Langfang (CNS) -- In a speech delivered Wednesday, Mo Yan's former teacher Xu Huaizhong compared the author to a towering tree deeply rooted in Chinese culture.

Xu, who was Mo's professor at the PLA Art Academy, said he had noticed and praised Mo's artistic potential 26 years ago.

Xu's speech was read by Lu Wenhu, vice chairman of the Chinese Culture Promotion Society, at an award ceremony in Langfang, Hebei Province. Mo was selected as a key cultural figure in 2012, but unable to accept his award in person. Xu was also absent from the ceremony due to illness.