Forum discusses need for common values

The broadening scope of discussions in Nishan — from academia to international politics, culture and traditional Chinese medicine — underlines an urgent need for shared global values vital for addressing multifaceted global challenges.

The Ninth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations opened in the hometown of Confucius at the foot of Nishan Mountain in Qufu, Shandong province, on Wednesday, bringing together participants such as politicians, representatives from international organizations, diplomats in China, experts and scholars, including 330 people from overseas.

"It is because of the 'common values for mankind' that we gather here. Although we come from different countries and have different cultural backgrounds, we all have one thing in common, which is our love for China and Chinese culture," Ehsan Doostmohammadi said at the Nishan World Forum on Youth, one of the sub-forums.