Abstract: This paper tries to delineate Prof. Xu Zhongyu's contribution to the establishment of Chinese literary theory. Since the end of the Cultural Revolution, Prof. Xu Zhongyu has been making efforts to approach literary theory with an aim to establish the discipline of Chinese theory of literature and art which may be grounded on traditional Chinese literary criticism. His theorization has covered such significant issues as the value of literature, the artistic principles of literary creativity and criticism, and the national characteristics of literary theory. His insightful observations and investigations have constructed a unique research framework that bases on literariness, centers around theoretical questions, and suspends the systematic theory. This research framework displays Prof. Xu's scholarly personality, academic spirit and masterful methodology.

Key words: Xu Zhongyu, literary theory, research framework, scholarly personality