Wang Xuedian, chair professor and president of the Advanced Institute for Confucian Studies at Shandong University, delivered a keynote speech on Oct 20. [Photo/International Confucian Association]

The International Conference to Commemorate the 2575th Anniversary of Confucius' Birth and the seventh Congress of the International Confucian Association were held from Oct 19 to 22 in Beijing.

Wang Xuedian, chair professor and president of the Advanced Institute for Confucian Studies at Shandong University delivered a keynote speech titled "The Social Science Attributes of Confucianism and its Modern Transformation" at the conference.

Confucianism bases social development and governance on moral persuasion, while socialism relies on a strong sense of political identity, and liberalism is founded on a belief in the rule of law, he said. The integration of these three social development theories may provide a compelling path forward for humanity.

The conference, co-sponsored by the International Federation of Confucians and the China Confucius Foundation, focused on the theme "Confucianism: Diversity and Modernization of Civilizations". The opening ceremony was attended by over 730 guests from nearly 110 countries and regions.

During the conference, Lin Anwu, distinguished professor of Shandong University, and Zhang Qicheng, part-time chair professor of Shandong University, were elected vice-chairmen of the International Confucian Association, while Yang Chaoming, distinguished professor of Shandong University and the sixth vice-president of International Confucian Association, was appointed the honorary advisor.

The International Confucian Association is an international academic and cultural association founded in Beijing in 1994. It was granted special consultative status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2018. It now has 850 corporate and individual members from 120 countries and regions.