Jia Qinglin (L2 F), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, addresses an international seminar to mark the 2,560th anniversary of the birth of Confucius, in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 24, 2009. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

    BEIJING, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese official has called for the better inheritance and display of Confucianism, for the promotion of the development and prosperity of the country's socialist culture.

    Confucius is the main founder of Confucianism and he is a great thinker and educator in Chinese history, said Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), at Thursday's international seminar here to mark the 2,560th anniversary of the birth of Confucius.

    The meeting was concurrent with the Fourth Congress of the International Confucian Association (ICA).

    Jia, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, praised the association for its achievements ever since it was established in 1994.

    He called Confucianism a mainstream part of traditional Chinese culture and a main pillar and base for the country's history and culture, which plays an important role for the conglomeration, unity and progress of the Chinese nationality, as well as the country's unification, stability and development.

    Confucianism is also an important part of human morality and culture as a whole, and it has cast a far-reaching impact on the development and progress of the Oriental civilization and the world civilization, the top political advisor said.

    He called for integrating the Confucian thought with the realities in China and the world, so as to make it play a positive role in promoting China's economic and social development, safeguarding world peace and boosting common development.

    ICA Chairman Ye Xuanping gave an opening address at the conference, which was also attended by Gu Xiulian, a former vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

    Some 300 scholars from 27 nations and regions attended the academic gathering, which is held once every five years.