The name Confucius has transcended the confines of history books to become a frequent reference in global education, philosophy, and even management.

When Western philosophers strive to understand the golden rule of "Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself", and when modern business leaders explore the wisdom in benevolent governance and rule by virtue, people from around the world are realizing that the teachings of this ancient Chinese sage are a valuable cornerstone for building global ethical and cultural consensus.

Starting from Qufu, Shandong province, where Confucius was born during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), Confucian culture spread across the nation and the world, interacting with and influencing local cultures to form diverse regional expressions.

"It is often said that customs differ every 10 miles, and styles change every hundred miles. The manifestations of Confucianism vary in different regions, primarily influenced by local culture and prominent figures," said Wei Yanhua, vice-president of the Confucius Research Institute of China.

Globally, Confucian culture has spread along two main paths. One is the East Asian cultural sphere, where countries like Japan, South Korea and Vietnam have integrated Confucian thought with their local cultures.

The other is extending the influence of Confucian thought to the Western world through the active dissemination by missionaries, scholars, and overseas Chinese.

Additionally, Wei believes that with the opening of economic channels, the transmission of Confucian culture has become smoother, promoting multicultural exchanges, mutual learning, and integration. Countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative have shown growing interest in Chinese Confucian culture, making Confucius studies a global topic. Notably, in conversations, many national leaders take pride in quoting Confucius.

The Qilu Visiting and Research Residency Program is a contemporary practice of this dissemination strategy. This program recruits visiting scholars globally and has attracted applications from 29 scholars in 15 countries.

Eight Sinologists from countries such as Croatia, South Korea, Greece and Russia have come to the Confucius Research Institute for residency and research in 2025, engaging in academic exchanges through lectures, seminars and other activities.

At the crossroads of human civilization's development, Confucian culture offers unique resources for constructing global ethics. Its worldview of Tianxia (all under heaven) aligns closely with the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. The idea of harmony without uniformity provides a methodology for civilizational dialogue, while the concept of benevolence offers a foundational value for global ethics.

"In the exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations, Confucian culture acts like a sage traversing millennia, sowing the seeds of Confucian wisdom wherever it goes," Wei said.