On July 3, Confucius-Aristotle 21st Century Symposium on Ethics co-hosted by UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), China Confucius Foundation, Academy of Athens and Interdisciplinary Centre for Aristotle Studies, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki opened in Athens, Greece.

Themed "Drawing on Ancient Wisdom of Mankind, Solving Development Dilemma of Today", the Symposium is being held in Athens and Thessaloniki from July 3 to 8, gathering more than 150 leading experts and scholars from China, Greece, the USA, Singapore and Cambodia. It aims to promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and Greece, and cope with the current challenges with ancient human wisdom to promote the building of a community of shared future for mankind.

Xiao Junzheng, Chinese Ambassador to Greece, expressed his warm congratulations to the Symposium on behalf of the Chinese embassy. Xiao said, the Chinese civilization and Greek civilization shine brightly on the two ends of the Eurasian continent, jointly making a fundamental contribution to the evolution of human civilization. In the face of common issues and challenges, we need to draw on wisdom and nutrients from various civilizations. The Symposium embodies a valuable exploration and attempt to seek ancient wisdom and implement the Global Civilization Initiative for realizing sustainable development of humanity. Guo Chengyan, Deputy Director General of Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies and Vice President and Secretary General of China Confucius Foundation, said that Confucius and Aristotle are the most representative ideological giants among numerous sages of the two countries. Through this Symposium, thoughts of the two philosophers are blended and integrated, guiding humanity to a better future.

At the opening ceremony, a framework cooperation agreement was signed by China Confucius Foundation, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Academy of Athens, Athens University of Economics and Business, Athena Research Center and Interdisciplinary Centre for Aristotle Studies, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in which all the parties agreed that the Symposium will be held alternately in China or Greece every year to strengthen academic exchanges.