The 2025 International Forum of Confucianism kicked off on Sept 6 in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, marking the establishment of the Southern Confucianism Cultural Research Institute.

Quzhou has a reputation for being the "Home of Southern Confucianism", and it's an important source of Confucian culture in Zhejiang.

On Sept 28, 2006, the first International Forum of Confucianism was held in the city.

For 20 years, Quzhou has focused on promoting excellent traditional culture and exploring the modern significance of Confucian culture. Key achievements have included the creation of cultural works like the musical Nan Kong and the symphony Dongnan Queli.

The newly established institute aims to serve as a comprehensive academic platform for research and cultural exchanges on Confucian culture in Quzhou.

Gan Chunsong, dean of the School of Philosophy at Nankai University, will serve as the institute's director, while Dong Ping, vice-chairperson of the council of the International Confucian Association, will head the academic committee of the institute.

This year's forum was themed on Southern Inheritance and Development of Confucianism, with over 10 experts and scholars giving speeches on stage.

A Cameroonian student at the Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, with the Chinese name of Gao Bo, attended the event and found the idea of "benefiting others through propriety" particularly inspiring.

The 2025 Southern Confucianism Cultural Tourism Season began on Sept 5, featuring 28 events — including the ceremony commemorating the 2,576th birthday of Confucius.