Ancient Confucian ideas inspire today

While attending a conference in East China over the weekend, experts from around the world praised influential Chinese philosopher Zhu Xi, emphasizing his ideas on moral cultivation, ethical leadership and people-oriented governance as vital for global coexistence and harmony amid competition and uncertainty.

Nearly 200 scholars from 51 countries and regions attended the Conference on Zhu Xi's Philosophy and Dialogue of Global Civilization to explore the contemporary relevance of the 12th-century Neo-Confucian scholar's thought.

The event, also known as the Fourth Kaoting Forum, was co-hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the International Confucian Association and the Fujian provincial government. It took place in Nanping, Fujian province, where Zhu taught in his later years.

Zhu (1130-1200) was a prominent scholar known for his major contributions to Confucianism during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). He compiled and wrote influential commentaries on the Four Books, which became the core texts for China's imperial civil service examinations for centuries.

In 1171, Zhu established the Wufu Granary, pioneering community-based relief programs to ease the impact of famine on farmers, which influenced China's ancient social security system.