The Nishan World Forum on Confucian Entrepreneurs is held on Sept 26. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Nishan World Forum on Confucian Entrepreneurs, as an important event of the ninth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, opened on Sept 26 in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius in East China's Shandong province.

More than 80 experts, scholars and entrepreneurs gathered to discuss the topic of "Tradition and the Future: Confucian Entrepreneurial Spirit and Chinese Modernization", exploring the unique value and significance of the Confucian entrepreneurial spirit and culture in the new era.

"The Confucian entrepreneurial spirit is rooted in the ethics and morals of Confucianism, and is an important part of the excellent traditional Chinese culture," said Yu Xiaoming, chairman of the China Confucius Foundation.

"Today, more than two thousand years (after his death), the Confucian entrepreneurial spirit is becoming the valued pursuit and spiritual wealth of Chinese entrepreneurs. It manifests as a sense of patriotism and social responsibility in market competition, and has become an important spirit for promoting Chinese-style modernization and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

Sun Chuanshang, vice-president of the Shandong Academy of Socialism, said in his speech that Confucian entrepreneurial spirit has been successfully inherited and has transcended geographical boundaries, integrating diverse cultures, and demonstrating strong vitality in the new era.

Roger T. Ames, a visiting professor at Peking University's Philosophy Department, said the Confucian concept of mergers and legitimacy is intrinsically tied to the prosperity and sustained existence of society. This not only relates to people's relationships to others and society as a whole, but also their ties to nature, he said.

Li Pingsheng, a professor at the Advanced Institute of Confucian Studies at Shandong University, said Confucian entrepreneurial culture faces the challenge of creative transformation and innovative development. Therefore, Confucian entrepreneurs should undertake a new cultural mission and cultivate and promote the spirit of patriotism, integrity, and law-abidingness.