Beijing forum spotlights relevance of Mencius’ wisdom in modern society

Meng Liang, chair of the Mencius Foundation, speaks at the fourth Oriental Civilization Forum in Beijing on July 23, 2023. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Dozens of experts and scholars gathered in Beijing on Sunday for the fourth edition of the Oriental Civilization Forum to exchange ideas surrounding the theme “civilization exchanges and mutual learning: the importance of Mencius’ wisdom in our society”.

Forum participants, from politics, economics, culture, and art, discussed such topics as the values of Mencius’ thoughts for modern society, sustainable development, and the revival of civilization and mutual learning.

In his opening speech, Meng Liang, chair of the Mencius Foundation, said Mencius’ ideas such as “the goodness of nature”, the kingly way and benevolent government, “the benevolent has no enemy” and social harmony can not only guide the construction of a harmonious socialist society in this new generation of globalization, but help promote the building of a community with a shared future, enhance China’s cultural presence, and strengthen exchanges and mutual learning between oriental and western civilizations.

Jeffrey Sachs, an economics professor at Columbia University, speaks at the fourth Oriental Civilization Forum in Beijing on July 23, 2023. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Jeffrey Sachs, an economics professor at Columbia University, delivered a keynote speech titled “Ancient Wisdom for Modern Challenges: Aristotle, Confucius, and Mencius and the 21st Century”. He said Mencius and Aristotle, two great thinkers of the East and the West, were born around the same time. Though they never met or knew each other, they shared the same idea about the potential of human beings, good politics and living together in peace, which is the spirit that brings the East and the West together.

Yu Hongjun, former vice-minister of the International Department, Central Committee of CPC, believed that Confucianism left rich legacies and practical wisdom in terms of national character shaping, way of thinking, behavioral habits, etiquette and fashion, state governance and response to emergencies.

Li Jianjun, president of the China Institute of Ergonomics, said the ergonomics originated from the writings of Mencius, in which he elaborated the idea of “unity of heaven and man”.

Wang Jie, professor at the Party School of the Central Committee of CPC (National School of Administration), illustrated that Mencius’ idea of filial piety not only refers to providing parents with materials but also satisfying their mental and emotional needs. He extended his idea of filial piety from family to society, developing traditional Chinese virtues of respecting and loving the elderly.

A dialogue is held at the fourth Oriental Civilization Forum in Beijing on July 23, 2023. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Liang Tao, associate dean of the College of Chinese Ancient Civilization Studies of the Renmin University of China, emphasized that in this generation of globalization, Confucianism provides good references with the ideas of running a benevolent government, opposing hegemony, winning people with virtues, and viewing the world as one community.

According to Chen Xiaoxia, president of the Mencius Institute, Mencius' ideas of "being benevolent and loving" and "people-oriented" and the established system of "benevolent government" are of great importance to China's democratic politics, economy, social security and people’s livelihoods.

Zhao Jingang, associate professor of the Philosophy Department of Tsinghua University, argued that respecting cultural diversity is the key to cultural prosperity across the world.

The Forum also read out the Traditional Chinese Medicine Initiative and launched the International Guqin Composing Competition and the 12th GCC (Global Changsha Guitar) Festival.

The “Oriental Civilization" series forums aim to disseminate the thoughts of Confucius and Mencius, improve understanding of different civilizations, address bias and controversy, expand common ground, and contribute to the sustained peace and common prosperity of the world.

Sponsored by the China Speaker Bureau and Zoucheng Mencius Cultural Research Association, the event was co-hosted by the Mencius Foundation, the China Institute of Ergonomics, and the GCC International Music Competition Organizing Committee.

A guqin performance is staged at the fourth Oriental Civilization Forum in Beijing on July 23, 2023. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]