On October 19, the International Conference to Commemorate the 2575th Anniversary of Confucius' Birth and the 7th Congress of the International Confucian Association (ICA) opened in Beijing. Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau and Chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended the opening ceremony and delivered an address. The ceremony was presided over by Sun Chunlan, President of the ICA. Fukuda Yasuo, former Prime Minister of Japan and Council Chair of the ICA, Massimo D'Alema, former Prime Minister of Italy, and Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former Prime Minister of France, delivered speeches in person or through virtual means. Other attendees included Shao Hong, Wang Dongfeng and Liu Yandong. President Yang Wanming delivered a speech on behalf of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).
In his remarks, Yang Wanming congratulated the ICA on the convening of the conference and highlighted the enduring value of Confucianism as a cornerstone of traditional Chinese culture. He stated that Confucianism embodies the most profound pursuits of the Chinese nation and provides vital nourishment for its growth and development. Moreover, Confucianism has made extraordinary contributions to human civilization and continues to offer inspiration for addressing contemporary global challenges.
Yang emphasized that 2024 marks two significant anniversaries: the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the CPAFFC. He referenced President Xi Jinping's important speech delivered on October 11 at the China International Friendship Conference and Events Marking the 70th Anniversary of the CPAFFC. In his address, President Xi underscored the unique role of people-to-people diplomacy to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Looking ahead, Yang pledged that the CPAFFC will deepen its collaboration with the ICA and remain guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and the Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, and give better play to the role of people-to-people diplomacy as a main channel and the role of Confucianism as a bridge. It will work with people of insight to implement the Global Civilization Initiative. Together, they will build more platforms for conveying truths through culture, allowing Chinese civilization to flourish and adding splendor to human civilization; establish additional channels for spreading voices through culture, developing new platforms, mechanisms, and models for cultural dialogue and cooperation that will benefit both the Chinese people and people around the world; and set up more platforms for fostering friendship through culture, enhancing mutual understanding and affinity among peoples, particularly the youth of different nations, contributing insights and strength at the grassroots' level to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
