On September 27th, the 6th Session of the World Confucian Conference and the Awarding Ceremony of Confucius Culture Prize 2013 was grandly held at Confucius Research Institute, located at Confucius’ hometown Qufu. The vice governor of Shandong province Ji Xiangqi, deputy general secretary of Shandong provincial government Li E, the executive deputy dean of Chinese National Academy of Arts Wang Nengxian, Vice President of Chinese National Academy of Arts Jia Leilei, 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, vice director of Shandong Provincial Department of Culture Li Guolin, deputy general secretary of China Confucius Foundation Wu Weihua, general secretary of International Confucian Association Niu Xiping, secretary of the Party Committee of Confucius Research Institute Zhuang Jinlan, dean Yang Chaoming, professor of Minzu University of China Mu Zhongjian, dean of Confucianism Academy of Hong Kong Tang Enjia 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 in 2007, 6 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 120 experts and scholars of over 60 academic organizations from 14 countries and regions such as the mainland of China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Israel, Australia, Britain, Ireland,  Russia, America and so on carried out deep discussion and extensive dialogue according to the theme of “Confucianism and contemporary social construction”, around the topics of “Confucianism and ecological civilization”, “Confucian ethics and moral education”, and “Confucianism and cultural spread”.
     The vice governor of Shandong province Ji Xiangqi, the executive deputy dean of Chinese National Academy of Arts Wang Nengxian, and secretary of the C.P.C. Jining Municipal Committee and director of Jining municipal people’s Congress Standing Committee Ma Pingchang gave speeches respectively.
     Dean of Confucius Research Institute and executive general secretary of the World Confucian Conference researcher Yang Chaoming gave keynote speeches on behalf of the organizer. He pointed out that in contemporary times, many people are still seeking truth among the multi-culture and multi-value. In addition to the “globalization”, the more important reason is the loss of balance in realistic world and morality. Through the reflection on the reality and history, people have a more reasonable and calm view on Confucius’ Confucianism. Confucius thought over humanity and the issue “what constitutes the essence of human” in his Confucianism. He required that people pay more attention to “human feelings” and “righteousness”, research on “human’s heart” and “moral mind”, think over “human’s desire” and “natural justice”. Confucius aspired for the social harmony. He believed that as long as people rectify their heart and cultivate themselves, extend their filial piety and improve their goodness, follow their reason, adhere to the morality, it will be no hard to achieve the “supreme goodness”. The approaches put up by Confucius embodied more wisdom. As long as people follow the principle of “Zhong” and “Shu”, cultivate themselves so as to bring peace to others, “never do to others what they don’t want be done”, they will obtain satisfactory effect in building social rites, constructing social civilization, all the way to the improvement of ecological environment. The improvement of people’s attainment requires us to “study the nature of things, rectify our heart and keep sincere”, to approach Confucius and Confucianism.
     The awarding ceremony of Confucius Culture Prize 2013 was held during the opening ceremony. The winners this year are Mr. Li Xueqin and Mr. Roger T. Ames. “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 2564th anniversary of Confucius’ birthday. All the delegated participated in the grand Confucius Memorial Ceremony 2013. (written by Song Zhenzhong, photo by Kong Yong)