Ancient Confucian ideas inspire today

Former vice-premier Sun Chunlan, who is now president of the International Confucian Association, said Zhu's philosophy offers valuable insights into human society and global civilization. She called on scholars to further explore the contemporary value of traditional cultures like Zhu's to foster a harmonious world of diverse civilizations.

Vincent Meriton, former vice-president of the Seychelles, said he found Zhu's thought inspiring, especially in a world marked by intense competition, mistrust and rivalry, where power has often been exercised with a sense of superiority and disregard for the dignity of others.

"Against this backdrop, Zhu Xi's insistence on moral cultivation, ethical leadership and the principle that human nature is essentially good offers a vital corrective — a reminder that governance, diplomacy and global coexistence must be rooted in virtue, respect and a willingness to understand and compromise," he said.

William Brown, a professor from the United States working at Xia-men University, said Zhu's concept of "unity while respecting differences" offers powerful guidance for understanding and coexistence, especially for Western countries that have relied on "hard power" in business competition for years.

Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, a senior lecturer at Sanming University, said Zhu, who established himself as an educator, philosopher and thinker, is inspiring for him as a teacher, and that Zhu's people-oriented philosophy should be shared with the rest of the world.