The Third International Confucianism Forum was held in Quzhou, Zhejiang province, on Sept 27 and 28.

Quzhou city is the second hometown of the Confucius family after they traveled to the city from Qufu of Shandong province in the Northern Song Dynasty (AD 960 – 1127).

People gather at the Confucius Ancestral Shrine to commemorate Confucius on Sept 28, 2010. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Confucianism experts from seven countries including the United States, the UK and Japan and professors from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Peking University, Tsinghua University, etc attended the forum to discuss the role of Confucianism in the modern times and the global influence of Confucianism.

During the forum, the experts suggested to set Confucius` birthday, or Sept 28, as the Teacher Respect Day.

In the morning of Sept 28, which is the 2561st anniversary of Confucius` birth, over 1,000 people consisted of Confucianism experts, representatives from various Confucius Institutes and Quzhou citizens gathered at the Confucius Ancestral Shrine to commemorate Confucius.

Unlike the traditional way, the ceremony was held in a modern manner in which people wear modern clothes and read the Analects of Confucius aloud. The modern ceremony in memory of Confucius has been included in the national cultural heritage this year.

People gather at the Confucius Ancestral Shrine to commemorate Confucius on Sept 28, 2010. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]