China publishes textbook on Confucianism

The Confucius Research Institute of China, one of the leading research organizations on Confucianism, published the Chinese version of a textbook on Confucius' works on Tuesday.

The German version of the book "Confucius Says So" had been previously published as a textbook on Chinese culture courses for the Confucius Institute of the University of Vienna in April.

The book is made up of eight chapters and its content draws material not only from the Analects of Confucius, which was a record of the dialogues between Confucius and his disciples, but also some other Confucian classics, such as Confucius' Precepts to his Family, Book of Rites and Filial Piety Classic.

"We published this textbook for the Austrian university because the school lacks publications of this kind," said Liu Xubing, chief editor of the book, adding that the publication also gives editors' independent views to make what Confucius ever said in history more understandable in the modern world.

"It is a joint effort of Austria and China and we can better know China through the book," said Gudtun Hardimann, cultural counselor of the Austrian Embassy.

Yang Chaoming, president of the Confucius Research Institute of China, said the book would help promote cultural exchanges between China and Austria.

The headquarters of the institute is based at Qufu City in eastern China's Shandong Province, birthplace of Confucius, the world renowned philosopher and educator.

The institute serving as a non-profit public organization to promote Chinese language and culture in foreign countries has more than 400 branches in over 100 countries and regions. The Confucius Institute of the University of Vienna was set up in September 2006.

Confucius was born in 551 BC in the State of Lu in modern-day Shandong.