The opening ceremony of the International Conference to Commemorate the 2575th Anniversary of Confucius’ Birth and the 7th Congress of the International Confucian Association (ICA) was held in Beijing on October 19. Mr. Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, Chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Ms. Sun Chunlan, President of the ICA, chaired the opening ceremony. Former Prime Minister of Japan and Council Chair of the ICA Yasuo Fukuda, former Prime Minister of Italy Massimo D'Alema, former Prime Minister of France Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former Vice President of Seychelles Vincent Meriton, former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Phinij Jarusombat, former Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, Keo Puth Reasmey, former Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of the Malaysian Parliament, Ong Tee keat, addressed the opening ceremony. President Wang Chao of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) and Vice President of CPIFA Zou Xiaoli also attended the opening ceremony.

Under the theme “Confucianism: Diversity of Civilizations and Modernization” , the conference is hosted by ICA and co-hosted by CPIFA and other institutions. Over 800 guests from more than 100 countries and regions participated in the conference.