The Conference on Zhu Xi's Philosophy and Dialogue of Global Civilization, along with the fourth Kaoting Forum, was held in Nanping, East China's Fujian province, on Oct 18. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the International Confucian Association (ICA), and the Fujian provincial government.

Centered on the theme "Promoting the Contemporary Value of Zhu Xi Culture, Fostering Mutual Learning and Coexistence of Global Civilizations," the conference aimed to explore the wisdom of Zhu Xi's philosophy and integrate it with other outstanding civilizations, offering intellectual insights to advance human civilization.

ICA President Sun Chunlan attended and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. Zhou Zuyi, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Fujian Provincial Committee and director of the Standing Committee of the Fujian Provincial People's Congress, delivered an address, while Zhao Long, deputy secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and governor of Fujian, presided over the ceremony.

Sun pointed out that Zhu Xi culture embodies a wealth of philosophical, humanistic, educational, and ethical ideas, offering significant value for the development of modern society and the mutual learning and coexistence of global civilizations. Marking the 895th anniversary of Zhu Xi's birth, she highlighted the conference's role in implementing the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) and promoting inter-civilizational exchanges and cooperation.

Emphasizing the importance of upholding the principles of preservation and innovation, Sun called for revitalizing Zhu Xi culture with Marxist theory and applying ancient wisdom to modern development, positioning Zhu Xi culture as a valuable resource for cultural and economic growth.

She also called for fostering cooperation and leveraging Zhu Xi culture as a spiritual bond across the Taiwan Strait, while embracing openness and inclusiveness to make the culture a catalyst for promoting mutual learning and coexistence among world civilizations.

Sun commended Fujian and Nanping for their substantial efforts in revitalizing Zhu Xi culture through integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and fine traditional culture. She called on global experts and scholars to take the conference as an opportunity to deeply explore the contemporary value of fine traditional cultures, including Zhu Xi culture, and contribute to the harmonious coexistence of world civilizations.

Sun pledged that the ICA will work with all parties to promote the inheritance and innovation of fine traditional culture, and make continuous contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Expressing congratulations on the convening of the conference on behalf of the Fujian provincial Party committee and government, Zhou noted the province's rich historical and cultural heritage and distinct regional cultural characteristics. He highlighted the province's continuous efforts to strengthen the protection and inheritance of its historical and cultural heritage, build itself into a powerhouse in social sciences, and earnestly implement projects on the studies and inheritance of Zhu Xi culture, achieving new progress in promoting the development and inheritance of Zhu Xi's philosophy.

Zhou reaffirmed the province's commitment to upholding the GCI, focusing on the inheritance and innovation of Zhu Xi's philosophy to better showcase Fujian's cultural charm in the new era, and contribute to the progress and mutual learning of human civilizations.

He called for establishing cooperation platforms for the study of Zhu Xi's philosophy, producing more high-quality academic research outcomes, promoting Zhu Xi culture through the creation of literary and artistic works and the development of cultural brands, and strengthening international exchanges to foster cultural integration and people-to-people bonds.

The opening ceremony featured speeches by distinguished guests including Jin Minqing, head of the Institute of Contemporary China Studies of the CASS; Ren Youqun, vice-minister of education; Zheng Jianmin, president of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots; Yang Tao, vice-president of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs; Phinij Jarusombat, former deputy prime minister of Thailand; and Ong Tee Keat, former deputy speaker of the Malaysian House of Representatives.

Simona-Mirela Miculescu, president of the 42nd Session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, delivered a video address.

Zhang Yan, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, chaired the keynote report session. Experts and scholars from home and abroad, including Vincent Meriton, former vice-president of Seychelles, and Lin Shangli, president of Renmin University of China, delivered reports.

The event was also attended by Hao Ping, executive vice-president of the ICA, other senior officials of Fujian, representatives from international sister cities, diplomats in China, heads of relevant Chinese ministries and commissions, members of the ICA's Executive Committee, domestic and foreign experts and scholars in related fields, relevant provincial-level officials, representatives of related associations, and descendants of Zhu Xi.