The 11th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations kicked off on Wednesday in Qufu, a county-level city of Jining, Shandong province, bringing together over 560 guests from more than 70 countries and regions to explore the interplay between cultural diversity and modernization.

In addition to the main theme of Beauty in Diversity: Nurturing Understanding Among Civilizations for Global Modernization, this edition of the forum also features six subtopics, including the origins and future development of civilizations, Confucian culture and its significance for the world today, mutual assistance in pursuing modernization, the importance of family and social development through the lens of civilization, and artificial intelligence and the future of human civilization.

"I observe that it (dialogue between civilizations) will be very useful for international relations, peace and security in the world," said Erdem Ilker Mutlu, chief advisor to the chairman of Turkiye's Patriotic Party. He suggested that Confucian ideas about harmony and ritual could help bring peace to the world.

Nestled in the heart of Shandong's cultural heartland, Nishan Hill, standing 340 meters tall and spanning 30 square kilometers, may seem modest in size, yet it holds profound historical weight. Known as Niqiu Hill in ancient times, it is revered as the birthplace of Confucius, the great philosopher and educator whose ideas have influenced the world.

The Nishan Forum has evolved into a vital platform for promoting traditional Chinese culture, addressing contemporary challenges in human civilization, and fostering cross-cultural dialogue.