Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava, 18–21 March 2026
The historical importance of Confucius’ work has long been established and widely recognised in China as well as in numerous other cultural contexts. At the same time, contemporary society’s interest in this intellectual and moral legacy is steadily increasing, against the backdrop of the accelerated global transformations of today’s world.
China itself has experienced a remarkable rise over recent decades, becoming the world’s second-largest economy and offering a relevant example of intensive development in an era marked by complexity, interdependence, and multiple challenges. The creativity and dynamism of contemporary China are today leaving a profound imprint on global economic, technological, cultural, and geopolitical developments.
Throughout this impressive ascent, China has drawn significantly on a rich historical and cultural heritage, deeply rooted in the teachings of its great thinker, Confucius. Moreover, the Confucian heritage is not claimed exclusively by China; rather, the Confucian cultural sphere has been assimilated, reinterpreted, and expanded across different continents.
In this context, scientific and technological, economic, and cultural cooperation with The People’s Republic of China represents, for many countries around the world, an important source of progress and development in diverse and strategic fields.
The Confucius and the Emergence of Contemporary China Symposium aims to analyse the contemporary relevance of Confucius’ teachings, the historical significance of China’s rise in the modern era, and the main dimensions of its global presence. The event brings together public figures, representatives of the business community, as well as Romanian and Chinese specialists from fields such as history, technology, economics, law, ethics, philosophy, and cultural studies, understood in their broadest sense.
The keynote lectures and thematic sessions will be delivered by leading experts with in-depth knowledge of Chinese culture and realities, as well as by promoters of techno-economic initiatives and bilateral cooperation with China, who will contribute substantially to the in-depth exploration of the proposed themes.
The symposium is hosted by Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava (Romania) and will take place from 18 to 21 March 2026.
Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava ranks among the most dynamic universities in Eastern Europe, offering study and research programmes that meet high academic standards. The university is a national leader in the field of invention and innovation, according to reports published by the European Patent Office in 2024 and 2025. The institution maintains active collaborations with several universities in the People’s Republic of China, materialised through academic mobility programmes, research projects, student competitions, and Chinese language and culture courses. Furthermore, in 2025, a Confucius Class was established within the Ștefan cel Mare National College of Suceava, reflecting the strengthening of Romanian–Chinese educational and cultural relations.