The wisdom of Confucius still has me transfixed

It is a memory that will forever be etched in my mind. To the accompaniment of pulsating music amid a sea of color and movement, the global audience looked on in awe as China greeted the world at the 2008 Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing with the welcoming and touching Confucian proverb, "Friends have come from afar, how happy we are".

I sat at home in the United Kingdom marveling at this spectacle, transfixed by this blend of flawless choreography and cutting-edge technology that was clearly steeped in ancient Chinese history and tradition.

Yet, like so many foreigners, I was ashamedly rather ignorant of just how revered the philosopher Confucius was in China, and how his teachings have, and still continue to play such an important role in Chinese history, culture and society. His teachings stand the test of time and remain the cornerstone of a proud, respectful, sincere and innovative nation.