The International Conference to Commemorate the 2575th Anniversary of Confucius' Birth, which is also the 7th Congress of the International Confucian Association (ICA), opened in Beijing on Saturday.
Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, addressed the opening ceremony.
Wang said efforts will be made to promote the creative transformation and innovative development of China's fine traditional culture and strengthen exchanges and mutual learning among countries, ethnic groups and cultures around the world.
This will not only further enrich the Chinese civilization but also contribute to a more vibrant and diverse global civilization, he added.
Wang called for carrying forward and promoting Confucianism and all outstanding traditional cultures, thereby making new contributions to the development of a human community with a shared future.
The opening ceremony was presided over by ICA President Sun Chunlan.
Former Japanese Prime Minister and Council Chair of the ICA Yasuo Fukuda, former Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema, and former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, either in person or through other means, delivered speeches. They emphasized the importance of Confucianism in addressing crises and resolving conflicts.
Ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius (551-479 B.C.) founded a school of thought, deeply influential on later generations, known as Confucianism.
International conference marking Confucius' 2575th birth anniversary kicks off
In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi urged the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, to take immediate action to halt "the illegal use of force" by the United States and Israel against Iran.
In the letter, Araghchi said that on Saturday, the U.S. and Israel blatantly violated Iran's national sovereignty and territorial integrity by launching attacks on defensive installations and civilian sites across multiple Iranian cities. He characterized these actions as a clear violation of the UN Charter and an unmistakable armed aggression against Iran.
In response to this aggressive act, Araghchi emphasized that Iran reserves its inherent and legal right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and that the Armed Forces of Iran will utilize all necessary defensive capabilities and measures to counter this "criminal aggression".
The letter warned that all bases, facilities, and assets of hostile forces in the region should be considered legitimate military targets within the scope of Iran's lawful exercise of its right to self-defense.
The United States and Israel, it added, should bear full and direct responsibility for all consequences arising from their actions, including any escalation of tensions.
Citing the serious and far-reaching impact of this armed aggression on regional and international peace and security, Iran called on the UN Secretary-General and Security Council members to take immediate action. Araghchi also called for an urgent convening of a Security Council emergency session to take necessary and immediate measures to halt the illegal use of force and hold the aggressors accountable.
Iran also appealed to all UN member states to strongly condemn this act of aggression.
At least 201 people were killed and 747 others injured in the U.S.-Israel joint strikes on Iran, the Iranian Red Crescent Society reported Saturday night, adding that at least 24 of Iran's 31 provinces were affected by the attacks.
Iran urges UN to halt US, Israeli military actions
