Jerry Goode, a South African content creator living in China, said he thinks Confucius' ideas, especially those related to mutual learning, are very relevant to modern life.

His favorite quote from Lunyu, or The Analects, is: "Isn't it a great pleasure to have friends coming from afar?"

"He makes it very clear that the distance between people, race and culture do no matter. As long as we get together, learn and share ideas, things will work out," Goode said during an interview with China Daily at the Nishan Forum on World Youth, which was held in Qufu, Shandong province on Sept 26.