The 2024 China International Confucius Cultural Festival kicked off in Qufu, Shandong province on Sept 27.

Renowned historian and writer Ji Lianhai visited Shandong once again to reflect on the wisdom of the ancient sage.

 Ji Lianhai, renowned historian and writer. [Photo/Jinan Times]

"Confucius' thoughts have remained timeless, with concepts such as 'harmony without uniformity' and 'beauty in diversity' aligning with the values pursued in modern society. From a temporal perspective, Confucius is immortal; and from a spatial perspective, Confucius belongs to the world," Ji remarked.

"Over the years, Confucius has played a critical role in spreading Chinese culture. He is revered as the 'Supreme Sage and Teacher'," Ji said. "The core of today's education system — emphasizing moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor education — was already present in Confucius' era."

Confucius is not only a cultural symbol of Shandong, but also a key symbol of Chinese culture as a whole. "Today, many Confucius Institutes have been established in countries worldwide, and Confucius' thoughts remain influential," he added.

"My impression of Shandong can be summed up in two well-known phrases: 'Friendly Shandong, Remarkable Shandong'." Ji said that every time he visits Shandong, he experiences the warmth and hospitality of its people and their cultural refinement.

"Shandong has mountains, seas, and plains, with an abundance of resources. In terms of cuisine, Shandong stands out with its Lu cuisine, the most pervasive cuisine in China." Ji also recommended Shandong's tourism attractions, saying: "Beyond natural landscape, its cultural sites are well worth exploring."