Mencius: a great thinker of ancient China
Mencius (372-289 BC) was one of the most influential philosophers in China, second only to Confucius. He was a master of interpreting and developing the Confucian concepts, such as humaneness, righteousness, ritual, and filial piety. He also advocated for moral, benevolent governance and the inherent goodness of human nature.
Mencius lived during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), a time of political turmoil and military conflict among seven rival states. He traveled across the land, hoping to enlighten the rulers with his philosophy and persuade them to adopt humane policies. He believed that a virtuous king would win the hearts of the people and bring peace and harmony to the world.
An oriental civilization dialogue on Mencius’s thoughts
On Sunday, November 28, 2023, an oriental civilization dialogue was held in Beijing, focusing on the theme of Mencius’s thoughts and their relevance for the contemporary world. The event was co-hosted by the Mencius Foundation and the Speaker Bureau, two organizations dedicated to promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning between the East and the West.
The dialogue featured keynote speakers from various fields, such as politics, business, economy, and academia. They shared their insights and perspectives on how Mencius’s philosophy could help facilitate civilization dialogue and cooperation in the face of global challenges and opportunities.
Guy Verhofstadt: Mencius’s wisdom for peace and harmony
One of the keynote speakers was Guy Verhofstadt, a former prime minister of Belgium and a prominent figure in European politics. He said that the world today is difficult and brutal, where violence and conflict are predominant. He cited the examples of the war in Ukraine and the ongoing war in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas, as reminders of the urgent need for dialogue and understanding among different civilizations.
Verhofstadt also said that Europe had been plagued by violence and competition for centuries, until the formation of the European Economic Community in 1958, which laid the foundation for the European Union. He said that this was in line with Mencius’s argument that good timing is not as good as being advantageously situated, and being advantageously situated is not as good as having harmonious people. He suggested that the European experience could offer some lessons and inspiration for other regions and countries in the world.
Li Xiaohua: Mencius’s principles for business and economy
Another keynote speaker was Li Xiaohua, the chairman of the board of directors of Hong Kong Huada Investment Group, a leading company in the fields of finance, real estate, and culture. He said that Mencius’s theory of integrity and attaining wealth had profoundly influenced his management style and business philosophy.
Li said that Mencius believed that seeking legitimate profits was one of the ways to practice virtue in social interactions. He also said that Mencius emphasized the importance of benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, and propriety in conducting business affairs. He said that these principles were not only ethical, but also practical and beneficial for the long-term development and sustainability of the economy and society.
More dialogues to come in 2024
The oriental civilization dialogue on Mencius’s thoughts was the first of its kind, and received positive feedback and appreciation from the participants and the audience. According to Meng Liang, the chair of the Mencius Foundation, the event was a small platform for cultural exchange and mutual learning between the East and the West, and a contribution to the development of humankind.
Meng also announced that the oriental civilization dialogues would be staged monthly, with 12 events of different themes planned for 2024. He said that he hoped to engage more people with insights and wisdom, and to explore the rich and diverse heritage of oriental civilization and its relevance for the modern world.
