Page 9 - 2022(1) International Confusion Studies

2 Y. D. Liu

While Confucius belongs to China, studies on Confucianism belong to the
world. In 2014, the International Confucian Association held the International
Symposium to Commemorate the 2565th Anniversary of the Birth of Confucius and
its fifth conference, at which Chinese president Xi Jinping delivered a keynote
speech. He pointed out that studies on Confucius and Confucianism are an
important approach to understanding the national characteristics of the Chinese
people and the historical evolution of our spiritual world of today. He emphasized
that promotion of communication, integration, and mutual learning between
human civilizations is the only way for the world to become more beautiful and
people of all countries to live a better life. The speech, with profound and rich
content, highlights the importance for the world to understand China and vice
versa. Its deep influence will surely be felt for a long time to come.
The nature of Confucianism as an open and inclusive system of thought,
culture, and values can be traced far back in history, as shown by its early spread to
northeast and southwest Asian regions. In the recent centuries, Confucianism had
a deep impact on the Enlightenment Movement in Europe and led to the unprec-
edented “Sinomania” there, which lasted for several hundred years and further
spread to other countries and regions. In the most recent decades, Confucianism
has become a major subject of study and promotion by experts and scholars in
various countries. It is my belief that on the road of communication and mutual
learning between human civilizations, continuous promotion of extensive and
deep research on Confucianism and traditional culture will surely contribute to the
happiness of and harmony between peoples, and to the prosperity of the world.
When the International Confucian Association was inaugurated in the 1990s,
scholars from member countries unanimously agreed to have its seat permanently
established in Beijing, China, the home country of Confucius and the birthplace of
Confucianism. Meanwhile, thanks to its broad and profound content, open and
inclusive nature, and characteristic of keeping in pace with the times, dissemi-
nation, research on, and promotion of Confucianism has long crossed over
national borders. Our members and councilors come from more than 80 countries
and regions all over the five continents. The wide spread of Confucian thought and
flourishing research on Confucianism are inseparable from the great efforts of
Confucian scholars and communicators generation after generation. They are
the sources of strength that ushered in the birth of the International Confucian
Association and has sustained its steady development over the past 27 years.
“Learning alone without any friend will leave one ignorant and ill-informed.”
The law of history tells us that a civilization is bound to decline by self-isolation.
Civilizations prosper by learning from each other. The renowned sociologist Fei
Xiaotong envisioned “a world of universal harmony, where people respect other
cultures as well as their own, and learn from each other.” His vision aptly sums up