The first World Conference of Classics, co-sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Ministry of Education of China, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, the Ministry of Culture of Greece, and the Academy of Athens in Greece, was held in Beijing from November 6 to 8. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou sent congratulatory letters to the conference.

The conference, with the theme of “Classical Civilization and the Modern World”, drew more than 600 experts and scholars, cultural experts, and representative young people from over 30 countries and regions as well as envoys of some countries and regions in China. The participants entered into in-depth candid dialogues and reached consensus, working together to rejuvenate classical civilization and demonstrate the new value of the times.

Chen Zhiqiang, a chair professor at Nankai University and a professor at the Faculty of History; Professor Gan Chunsong, Dean of the College of Philosophy; Zhu Yanmin and Yang Juping, professors at the Faculty of History; Rui Xin, a professor at the School of Literature; Ye Min, an associate professor at the Faculty of History; Tai Mixia, Director of the Global Laozegetics Research Center and an associate professor at the College of Philosophy of Nankai University, and other experts and scholars were invited to the conference. The participants expounded their academic views in five branch forums, discussing the value and significance of classical civilization in modern society from multiple dimensions, as well as how to foster exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations in the context of globalization.

At the first sub-forum with the theme of “The Doctrine and Spirit of Classical Civilization”, Chen Zhiqiang submitted a paper entitled “Attention Paid to Details in Mutual Learning of Civilizations”, and made comments. At the third sub-forum with the theme of “Classical Language and Classical Tradition”, Zhu Yanmin read out the paper “From the Chinese Character “贞” in Bone Inscriptions to “贞” in Book of Changes: Tracking the Interpretation of this Divination Term in Modern Times”; Yang Juping submitted the paper entitled “A Centennial Textual Research and Interpretation of the Lead Ingots with assumed ‘Foreign Scripts’: thei Relation with the Greek-style Coins along the Silk Road ”. The paper has been included in the collected papers Mutual Learning (inaugural issue) edited by the Center for Chinese and Greek Civilization. At the fifth sub-forum with the theme of “Classical Studies and Traditions of Confucian Classics and History Books”, Gan Chunsong gave a keynote speech entitled “Building of Confidence in Culture under the Goal of Nation-State: Inherent Tension of Zhang Taiyan’s View on Studies of Chinese Ancient Civilization”. Tai Mixia delivered a keynote speech entitled “Chinese and Western Classics from the Perspective of Global Laozegetics”, and was interviewed by People’s Daily, China Global Television Network and Beijing Satellite TV after the forum. Ye Min attended the eighth sub-forum with the theme of “Classical Studies and the Future of Mankind” and read out the paper “The Concept of Eternal Rome in Late Antiquity”.

It is learned that the purpose of this conference is to trace the source of human thought, summarize the wisdom of humanity, and explore the tradition of human civilization from the perspective of research on classical civilization. This provides scientific principle for strengthening exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, and offers inspiration for solving problems in the modern world. At the opening ceremony of the conference, the Chinese Academy of Classical Civilization was officially inaugurated, which is the first classical civilization research institution established by an Asian country in Greece. The research institution will carry out a plethora of diverse activities around the topics of archaeology, civilization and history and culture, promote academic exchanges and cooperation as well as talent cultivation in the fields of archaeology and civilization research for China and Greece, China and EU, and scientific research institutions around the world. The institution fosters exchanges and mutual learning among world civilizations as well as historical and cultural cooperation.

Other sub-forums held focus on topics such as “The Doctrine and Spirit of Classical Civilization”, “Mutual Translation and Interpretation of Classics”, “Classical Language and Tradition of Classical Studies”, “Mutual Learning between Classical Studies and Civilization”, “Classical Studies and Traditions of Confucian Classics and History Books”, “Dialogue between Confucianism and Ancient Greek Philosophy on Ethics”, “Classical Wisdom and the Age of Digital and Intelligent Development”, and “Classical Studies and the Future of Mankind”. Moreover, a series of activities were held, including the exhibition “The Diversity of Beauty: Art and Life in Ancient Greece” and the exhibition of results of the World Conference of Classics on classical research.

（Edited and translated by Nankai News Team.)