On September 27th, the 5th Session of the World Confucian Conference and the Awarding Ceremony of Confucius Culture Prize 2012 was grandly held at Confucius Research Institute, located at Confucius’ hometown Qufu. The minister of China Ministry of Culture Wang Wenzhang, vice governor of Shandong province Zhang Chaochao, director of Public Culture Service Department of Ministry of Culture Yu Qun, vice minister of Shandong provincial Party Committee Propaganda Department and director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture Xu Xianghong, the associate counsel of the Office of Shandong provincial government Jiang Wenyi, dean assistant of Chinese National Academy of Arts and director of Culture Development Strategy Research Center Jia Leilei, vice director of Shandong Provincial Department of Culture Li Guolin, secretary of the CPC Jining Municipal Committee and director of Jining municipal people’s Congress Standing Committee Ma Pingchang, deputy secretary of Jining municipal Party Committee and mayor Mei Yonghong, executive deputy dean of Advanced Institute of Confucian Studies, Shandong University Wang Xuedian, president of China Confucius Foundation Wang Daqian, the executive deputy general secretary of International Confucian Association Wang Nianning, secretary of the Party Committee of Confucius Research Institute Zhuang Jinlan, dean Yang Chaoming attended the opening ceremony.
     The World Confucian Conference is an international Confucian event co-sponsored by Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China and People’s Government of Shandong Province and organized by Chinese National Academy of Arts, Shandong Provincial Department of Culture, China Confucius Foundation, International Confucian Association, People’s Government of Ji’ning City and Confucius Research Institute. The purpose is to organize and hold Confucianism research activity all over the world, to promote the in-depth development of Confucianism research in various countries and regions, to inherit and spread Chinese excellent traditional culture, to promote the dialogue and exchange among different civilizations, and to strengthen the understanding and trust among people from different nations.
     Since the inaugural meeting, 5 sessions have been held. In this session we adhered to the consistent purpose of the past sessions, build independent and equal academic atmosphere, invited renowned scholars, Confucian organizations and institutes both domestic and overseas, encouraged cross-regional, cross- disciplinary and cross-industry Confucian research, both paid attention to the basic theoretical research and closely connected Confucianism research with the contemporary value construction, explored the significance and function of Confucianism in contemporary value construction. Over 100 experts and scholars  from 10 countries and regions such as America, Austria, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, the mainland of China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan carried out deep discussion and extensive dialogue according to the theme of “the contemporary value of Confucianism”, around the topics of“Confucian ethics and market ethics”, “Chinese classics and modern civilization”, “Confucianism and national education”.
     The minister of China Ministry of Culture Wang Wenzhang, vice governor of Shandong province Zhang Chaochao, and secretary of the CPC Jining Municipal Committee and director of Jining municipal people’s Congress Standing Committee Ma Pingchang gave speeches respectively.
     Honorary professor of Chung-ang University Liang Chengwu and professor of Southwest University of Political Science and Law Yu Ronggen gave keynote speeches respectively.
     The awarding ceremony of Confucius Culture Prize 2012 was held during the opening ceremony. The winners this year are professor of Minzu University of China Mu Zhongjian and Sungkyunkwan. “Confucius Culture Prize” was an international award named after the saint teacher Confucius and established by China Ministry of Culture and Shandong provincial Government. This prize is the highest award in Confucianism research and spread, chiefly commending the individuals, institutes and non-governmental organizations that have made outstanding contribution to global Confucianism research and Confucius culture spread, aiming at encouraging the worldwide individuals, institutes and non-governmental organizations to stand at the height of the times, studying the essence of Confucianism, exploring the value and significance of Confucius and Confucianism, strengthening the discussion and exchange of Confucianism achievements, promoting the inheritance and spread of Confucian culture, enriching the connotation of world culture, promoting the multi-culture construction and development all over the world, and promoting the peace, harmony and progress of human society.
     This conference coincides with the 2563rd anniversary of Confucius’ birthday. All the delegated participated in the grand Confucius Memorial Ceremony 2012. (written by Song Zhenzhong, photo by Kong Yong)