The ninth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations opened in Qufu, East China's Shandong province on Sept 27 with more than 1,600 Chinese and foreign participants gathering at the birthplace of Confucius to discuss the integration and mutual learning of civilizations, and to seek solutions to global challenges.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, International Confucian Association, and Shandong Provincial People's Government, this edition of the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations features one main forum and 13 parallel sub-forums.

It has attracted 330 foreign guests including ambassadors from various countries, representatives from international organizations, friendly provinces and cities, as well as over 1,000 Chinese and foreign experts and scholars.