Yang Chaoming, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) from East China's Shandong province, attends a session on promoting the guiding principles of the first session of the 14th NPC. [Photo/ provided to npc.gov.cn]

“The ‘two sessions’ have firmed up my resolve to contribute to promoting cultural confidence and cultural advancement”, said Yang Chaoming, a professor with the Advanced Institute for Confucian Studies at Shandong University and also a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), after the annual session of the NPC in March.

The day after returning from Beijing, Yang was invited to give a lecture at Shandong University on the guiding principles of the session, at which he shared with teachers and students his insights gained at the session. He also attended publicity conferences at the Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, the Shandong University Alumni Association, and the Luban Workshop Research and Promotion Center, noting that it is the mission and responsibility of all Chinese people and each family to take part in the promotion of Chinese history, Confucian stories and cultural advancement.

Over the decades, Yang has worked at Qufu Normal University, the Confucius Institute, the Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, and Shandong University. All his work has been closely related to the study of Confucius, Confucian philosophies and doctrines, and traditional Chinese culture.

Having worked and lived in Qufu for many years, Yang said that he is pleased to find that traditional Chinese culture has been carried forward around the country, adding that many classical Chinese works have been included in the textbooks of primary and middle schools.

Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, has hosted the Nishan Forum of World Civilizations eight times in a row since 2010, serving as a hub of cultural exchanges for scholars and diplomatic envoys from home and abroad, and as a bridge to connect to the world.

Yang recalled a private talk during one such forum, during which he and a European scholar discussed the differences between Eastern and Western cultures.

His Western counterpart quoted The Analects, "When the grand course was pursued, a public and common spirit ruled all under the sky", and said it's a shared concept of humanity.

Yang said he firmly believes the idea of great harmony is the most influential Confucian thought in the world. He once told his audience in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that it has embodied an international outlook of pursuing peace among all nations.

Yang said that an outstanding strength of the Chinese nation is that its civilization has deep "roots" to support the growth of a strong "trunk."

"As a deputy from the culture sector, I'll work further to perform my duties, promote traditional culture and enhance mutual learning between civilizations, and to contribute my share to turning China into a country with a strong socialist culture," Yang said.