China’s research landscape in parapsychology offers a unique perspective, marked by a blend of historical, cultural, and scientific influences. Here’s what I know about their research endeavors:

Early Beginnings:

• Traditional Influences: Chinese philosophy and practices like Taoism and meditation have long explored concepts of mind-body connection and altered states of consciousness, laying a foundation for later parapsychological pursuits.
• 20th Century Developments: After a period of political turmoil, parapsychology research resurfaced in China in the late 1970s. Institutions like the Beijing Teacher’s College became hubs for studies on telepathy, psychokinesis, and NDEs.

Key Figures and Approaches:

• Professor Lin Shuhuang: A prominent figure in Chinese parapsychology, Lin’s research focused on telepathic communication and mental influence on physical objects. His team reportedly achieved consistent and statistically significant results, although these remain debated within the international community.
• “Chinese Characteristics”: Researchers like Lin proposed that Eastern cultural factors like collectivism and holistic thinking might enhance psychic abilities, leading to different experimental approaches and interpretations compared to Western research.

Contemporary Landscape:

• Challenges and Controversies: Similar to global trends, skepticism and debates around methodology and replicability exist within Chinese parapsychology. Concerns about potential bias and methodological shortcomings have emerged regarding some studies.
• Shifting Focus: While research on traditional areas like ESP continues, some Chinese scientists are exploring parapsychology’s potential applications in neuroscience, brain-computer interfaces, and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques.

Interesting Insights:

• China’s cultural and philosophical background offers a distinct lens for approaching parapsychology, potentially leading to different research questions and interpretations.
• The emphasis on collectivism and cultural factors in shaping psychic abilities raises intriguing questions about the interplay between individual minds and their social environment.
• The potential integration of parapsychology with neuroscience and other scientific fields could create new avenues for exploring the complexities of consciousness and mind-matter interactions.

Note: It’s important to approach information about Chinese parapsychology with due critical thinking. Some claims require careful evaluation and independent verification, considering potential cultural and political influences.

Do you have any specific aspects of Chinese parapsychology research that you’d like to delve into further? I can help you explore the works of specific researchers, delve into debates and controversies, or connect with relevant academic resources. Let’s delve deeper into this fascinating cross-cultural intersection of science and the unexplored!

Parapsychology in the People’s Republic of China: A Complex and Intriguing Landscape

Historical Context:

China’s interest in parapsychology stretches back centuries, with ancient traditions like divination and practices like Qigong reflecting a deep-seated belief in the potential for the human mind to transcend its ordinary limitations. However, it was the Cold War era that marked a turning point, with the government initiating research programs to explore the potential of psychic abilities for intelligence gathering and military applications.

Early Research and Development:

In the 1950s, the Academia Sinica established a parapsychology research group, conducting studies on telepathy, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis. The People’s Liberation Army also expressed keen interest, leading to dedicated research initiatives within the military. This early research focused on developing “extraordinary functions” in individuals, pushing the boundaries of human perception and manipulation.

Heightened Activity and Openness (1979-1989):

After the Cultural Revolution, China witnessed a period of increased openness and international collaboration in parapsychology research. This period saw:

• Exchange with Western researchers: Collaboration with Western counterparts allowed Chinese researchers to access new methodologies and perspectives.
• Exploration of “Qi”: Traditional Chinese concepts like “Qi” were investigated for their potential connection to psychic abilities, particularly through practices like Qigong.
• Focus on children: Reports of children with exceptional abilities like telekinesis and mind-reading led to the establishment of specialized schools for these individuals.

Contemporary Research and Challenges:

While facing skepticism within the scientific community, research on parapsychology continues in China, primarily conducted by institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences and prestigious universities. This contemporary research focuses on:

• Neuroscience integration: Modern research incorporates insights from neuroscience to understand the potential biological basis of psychic phenomena.
• Methodological advancements: Researchers are continually refining methodologies to ensure rigor and replicability in parapsychology studies.
• Ethical considerations: Ethical guidelines are being developed to address concerns regarding the use of psychic abilities, particularly in sensitive areas like intelligence gathering.

International Collaboration and the ICPA:

The International Chinese Parapsychology Association (ICPA) plays a crucial role in facilitating communication and collaboration between Chinese and international researchers. The ICPA:

• Organizes conferences and workshops: These events provide platforms for researchers to share their findings, exchange ideas, and foster international collaboration.
• Disseminates research: The ICPA publishes journals and other resources to make research findings accessible to both the scientific community and the public.
• Advocates for parapsychology: The ICPA actively works to promote parapsychology as a legitimate field of study and advocate for its inclusion in mainstream academia and research institutions.

Future Prospects and Open Questions:

Despite ongoing research and international collaboration, parapsychology in China faces challenges, including:

• Funding limitations: Securing funding for research in this field remains difficult due to widespread skepticism.
• Methodological difficulties: Studying subjective and elusive phenomena like psychic abilities poses significant challenges in terms of methodology and replicability.
• Cultural influences: Integrating Eastern and Western approaches requires careful consideration of cultural perspectives and ensuring methodological rigor across diverse contexts.

However, advancements in technology, growing public interest, and ongoing international collaboration offer promising prospects for the future of parapsychology in China. As research continues to explore the frontiers of the human mind and delve deeper into the mysteries of consciousness, China’s contributions to this field will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the vast potential that lies within each of us.

Extraordinary Function of the Human Body

The concept of “Extraordinary Function of the Human Body” (EFHB) refers to the belief in China that certain individuals possess exceptional abilities beyond the normal functioning of the human body. These abilities include extrasensory perception (ESP) and psychokinesis (PK), which are commonly referred to as parapsychological phenomena.

In the context of parapsychology research in China, EFHB became a focal point of study from 1979 to 1982. During this period, there was a surge of interest in researching ESP and PK among children in China. This research, conducted under the name EFHB, led to a significant body of literature and sparked debates among scientists.

The concept of EFHB was met with both support and opposition within the scientific community. Two prominent figures emerged as protagonists in the debate, with one opposing EFHB and the other advocating for its validity. The Communist Party eventually intervened and ruled that public discussions should cease, but research could continue quietly.

From 1983 to 1986, the focus of parapsychology research in China shifted to studying gifted adult psychics. This research was conducted at universities and defense-related institutions, where reports of gross PK effects were documented.

Overall, the concept of EFHB played a significant role in shaping parapsychology research in China during the specified period, leading to debates, collaborations, and a shift in research focus.

The research on ESP and PK among children in China from 1979 to 1989 found that:

1. Children, particularly young girls aged 6-12, were considered the best candidates for ESP. When tested, children who responded within a few minutes had a high rate of correct answers, often around 90%. However, if they hesitated and took longer to respond, their accuracy decreased significantly.

2. The ability of children to exhibit ESP and PK seemed to decline as they grew older or after menstruation started. This contradicted the expectation that older children would be better at deceiving adults.

3. The research gained popularity during this period, with hundreds of children exhibiting exceptional functions of the human body (EFHB) found throughout the country. Many educational and research centers formed groups to investigate these phenomena.

4. Reports published in Nature Journal indicated that around 40 to 63 percent of children around the age of 10 were found to have EFHB to some extent in a large-scale ESP investigation in Beijing.

Source: https://archive.org/details/CIA-RDP96-00789R002600290003-0