From September 20th to 22nd, the China-Greece Classical Civilization Forum and the unveiling ceremony for the China-Greece Joint Research Institute on Classical Civilization was held at Xingyuan Hotel. The event was co-hosted by Shandong University of Technology (SDUT) and Ionian University of Greece. More than 30 scholars from various institutions, including Ionian University, the University of Athens, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Peking University, Renmin University of China, and Zhejiang University, gathered on campus for academic exchange and collision of ideas, and witnessed the establishment of the China-Greece Joint Research Institute of Classical Civilizations.
The forum officially opened at 9 a.m on September 21st. Attendees included HU Xingyu, the secretary of the Party Committee of SDUT, Andreas Floros, president of Ionian University, WEN Haiming, deputy Director of the Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, and CUI Yanqiang, director of the Center for Exchange between Chinese and Greek Ancient Civilizations. They delivered speeches during the opening ceremony, which was presided over by SU Shoubo, member of Standing Committee of Party Committee and Vice President.
On behalf of SDUT, HU Xingyu expressed his appreciation for the presence of all the scholars, gave an overview of SDUT and reviewed the process of exchange and mutual learning between classical civilizations of China and Greece made by SDUT and Greek universities. Highlighting the significant value and connotation of such exchange and mutual learning between civilizations, he expressed his best wishes for enhancing cooperation and communication. HU pointed out that the establishment of the China-Greece Joint Research Institute of Classical Civilization was a vital step in promoting the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations and a major milestone in the collaboration between SDUT and Ionian University. He affirmed that SDUT would work closely with Ionian University to actively advance the construction of the institute so that the Chinese and Greek civilizations would flourish in the new era.
Andreas Floros introduced Ionian University, highlighting the university’s efforts in curriculum development, faculty building, student training, and academic exchanges to promote exchange between Chinese and Greek civilizations. He expressed his hopes to further build platforms for communication and strengthen cooperation in faculty development and talent cultivation.
WEN Haiming introduced the Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, noting that dialogues between Chinese and Greek classical civilizations are instrumental in resolving global “clashes of civilizations”, revitalizing Qi and Lu culture in the new era, advancing the “Asian Renaissance”, promoting global civilization exchange, and driving the development of “World Confucianism” and the globalization of Confucianism.
CUI Yanqiang presented the work of the Center of Chinese and Greek Ancient Civilizations, emphasizing its contributions to academic exchanges between China and Greece, joint student programs, and youth exchanges. He stated that mutual learning and exchange are essential to maintaining the vitality of different civilizations, with scholars acting as heralds of dialogues between civilizations. He noted that classical civilizations, possessing enduring vitality, would continue to thrive at present.
HU Xingyu and Andreas Floros jointly unveiled the plaque of the China-Greece Joint Research Institute of Classical Civilization.
The forum consisted of two stages: academic discussions and academic dialogues. Scholars engaged in in-depth discussions and dialogues on topics such as Chinese and Greek philosophy during the classical period, the preservation of Chinese and Greek cultural heritage during the classical period, the Jixia Academy and Plato Academy, and the concept of a “good teacher” in either civilization. Their insightful exchanges led to broad consensus and fruitful results.
The event was co-organized by the Qi Culture Research Institute and the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation at SDUT, the Laboratory of Geo-cultural Analyses (GEOLab) and the Department of Foreign Languages Translation & Interpreting at Ionian University. Academic support was provided by the Department of Philosophy at Peking University, the School of Philosophy at Renmin University of China, the Institute of Chinese Culture at Beijing Language and Culture University, the Center of Chinese and Greek Ancient Civilizations at Southwest University, the Mencius Research Institute at the Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, the Institute of Cultural Heritage at Shandong University, the Institute of Qi and Lu Culture Studies at Shandong Normal University, and the School of Philosophy at the University of Athens.