Photo: VCG

Over 400 foreign experts from 30 countries will participate in the first World Conference of Classics that is set to be held in Beijing on Wednesday. Experts from both China and abroad said the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations is not only a need within the academic field but also a crucial pathway for achieving peace and understanding among nations.

With the theme of "classical civilization and the modern world," the conference aims to delve into the roots of human thought through classical studies, drawing on historical wisdom and cultural traditions. The event will feature a series of academic seminars and special presentations that will explore the relationship between classical civilizations and modern society. 

Media reported that in the lead-up to the conference, a variety of activities are being held across China. Participants from abroad will also visit three key locations - Central China's Henan Province, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, and East China's Shandong Province to experience firsthand the inclusive and open nature of Chinese civilization. These immersive experiences will highlight China's commitment to creatively transforming and innovatively developing its cultural heritage.

In Zhengzhou, when Linda Lea Ryan-Pohl, an expert from Germany, visited the Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty Capital Site Museum, she expressed high appreciation for the rich cultural relics of the Shang Dynasty (c.1600BC-1046BC). In addition to the bronzes, which are regarded as national treasures, the pottery on display also aroused her keen interests.  

"The artifacts here have given me a new appreciation for Chinese antiques - I've never seen such unique and precious pieces anywhere else," she told the Global Times.

Thomas Michael, a professor from the US who works at Beijing Normal University, told the Global Times that he was impressed by the fact that the Shang Dynasty city walls still stand above the ground. 

"After visiting the Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty Capital National Archaeological Site Park and the Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty Capital Site Museum, it reminded me of Mo-tse, a prominent figure in classical literature known for his expertise in siege tactics," Michael noted. "Yet, seeing these towering, fortified city walls, I couldn't help but marvel at their impressive defensive capabilities. It truly is awe-inspiring."  

On Tuesday, the scholars will pay a visit to the renowned Yinxu Museum in Anyang, Henan Province.

"Cultural exchanges know no borders, and dialogue among scholars transcends differences. This journey to China is not just an academic visit but a meeting of minds," Zhao Qingrong, director of the Yinxu Museum, told the Global Times.

"As experts explore the mysteries behind oracle bone script at the Yin Ruins Museum in Henan, they are not only studying the script itself but also conducting comprehensive analyses from perspectives in linguistics, history, and archaeology, bringing these characters that have been dormant for thousands of years back to life," Zhao noted. 

"We organized a visit for guests from home and abroad to witness one of humanity's greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. They viewed unique artifacts such as the Golden Sun Bird ornament, the Bronze Standing Figure, and the Bronze Divine Tree, experiencing the profound essence of China's outstanding traditional culture," Fang Xiaohu, deputy director of the Sichuan Provincial Publicity Department, told the Global Times.

"The Sichuan Museum, the largest comprehensive museum in Southwest China, houses a wealth of cultural artifacts," he continued. "We will organize a visit to the museum's comprehensive Sichuan history exhibition, which presents the province's extensive history from the Paleolithic era to the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), showcasing Sichuan's prominent role in the multi-ethnic unity of Chinese civilization."

Fang noted that Sichuan as the native habitat of the giant panda, is home to over 70 percent of the world's wild panda population. "We'll arrange a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where guests can admire these beloved animals and uncover the remarkable story behind their global appeal as China's national treasure."