The Conference on Zhu Xi's Philosophy and Dialogue of Global Civilization is scheduled to open in Nanping of Fujian province on Saturday, gathering scholars and experts to discuss the ancient Chinese philosopher's contemporary relevance and pathways for cross-cultural exchange.

Zhu (1130-1200), a Confucian scholar of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), is widely regarded as the most influential philosopher of the Neo-Confucian tradition. The two-day event, also known as the Fifth Kaoting Forum, will center on bridging knowledge and propriety through civilizational dialogue to build a shared human order.

The conference, jointly hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the International Confucian Association and the Fujian provincial government, has invited nearly 200 experts and scholars from home and abroad.

The Kaoting Forum derives its name from Kaoting Academy in Nanping, where Zhu spent his later years teaching and synthesizing his life's scholarship, leaving behind studies that would shape East Asia for centuries. This year's conference highlights the twin concepts of "principle" and "propriety", advocating an order that responds to today's complex international landscape and global challenges, while showcasing the rational brilliance and harmonious wisdom of Chinese civilization in resonance with the profound vision of the Global Civilization Initiative.

The conference will also see the launch of the newly revised Comprehensive Dictionary of Zhu Xi. Under the chief editorship of Professor Zhang Liwen, a renowned historian of philosophy and leading authority on Zhu Xi Studies, with Xiang Shiling overseeing the compilation, this major specialized reference work was compiled by nearly 100 experts from across China. The first edition was published by Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing House in 2013 to mark the anniversary of Zhu's birth. This revised edition incorporates the latest research findings and academic developments on Zhu's thought over the past decade and more.

The work is organized into four major sections: life and deeds; contemporaries, disciples and later followers; system of thought; and transmission and scholarship. According to the organizers, the launch of the revised version represents a vital practice in exploring the essence of China's outstanding traditional culture and building an independent Chinese discourse system. The dictionary not only provides the public with an irreplaceable and authoritative guide to understanding Zhu and his scholarship, but also advances the global reach of Zhu Xi Studies. Its publication holds profound significance for carrying forward China's outstanding traditional culture, deepening Confucian exchanges across East Asia, and promoting the contemporary transformation of traditional culture.

Featuring four parallel sub-forums, the conference is to have scholars holding discussions and sharing insights around four major themes: integrating Zhu Xi Studies with the "two combinations" — namely, integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and fine traditional culture — to explore theoretical coherence and contemporary practice; Chinese wisdom from Zhu Xi Studies for global governance; humanistic care in the digital-intelligent age through the lens of Zhu Xi Studies; and advancing cross-Strait integration through the cultural heritage of Zhu.

Additionally, the event will include activities such as the grand final of the "Zhu Xi Cup" Chinese poetry contest, and academic field research and cultural communication themed on academy culture. These activities will integrate academic discussion with cultural experience, making Zhu's culture tangible and accessible.

Serving as the foundation for the inheritance and preservation of Zhu Xi culture, Nanping has in recent years strengthened heritage protection through legislation and institutional safeguards. As of October 2025, the city had established a framework for the protection of Zhu Xi cultural relics, upgraded heritage protection designations and a heritage safety responsibility system. It covered 140 verified heritage sites and an inaugural batch of 69 sites on the protection list. In 2023, the provincial-level Zhu Xi Cultural Ecological Protection Area (Nanping) was approved, shifting efforts from individual restoration to holistic governance of cultural spaces, intangible heritage and community life.

Translating preservation into practice, Nanping has developed four distinct pathways for cultural revitalization: heritage sites such as Hanquan Jingshe, an academy established by Zhu in 1170, and Kaoting Academy now host study programs, lectures and ceremonies; Zhu-style weddings and rituals have been transformed into participatory social practices; digital guides, short videos, and "AI Zhu Xi" enhance dissemination; and Zhu Xi culture has been combined with Jian ware, tea and ancient dwellings to create cultural tourism products. Through these efforts, Nanping has forged a coherent path for cultural inheritance and development.