World Congress of Philosophy opens in Beijing

The 24th World Congress of Philosophy (WCP) opened Monday in Beijing. It is the first time that the quinquennial event is being held in China.

Themed "Learning To Be Human," the event will include more than 1,000 activities, such as plenary sessions, symposia, lectures and roundtables, according to the Chinese Organizing Committee of WCP 2018.

More than 6,000 philosophers and academics from 121 countries and regions have been invited to attend the event, which will end Aug. 20.

Attendees will share diverse philosophical thoughts and take part in dialogues focusing on major issues confronting the development of the global civilization, and challenges that mankind will face in the future.

The congress received more than 5,000 papers.

This year's event is organized by the International Federation of Philosophical Societies, and Peking University.

Lin Jianhua, chairman of the Chinese Organizing Committee of WCP 2018, hopes that the dialogue between Chinese philosophy and the philosophies from other parts of the world will help understanding, seek consensus and bridge the gap between China and other countries.

Dermot Moran, president of the International Federation of Philosophical Societies, said the congress would also hopefully have an enduring impact on international cultural relations outside the philosophy and promote mutual understanding and respect for traditions and trust around the world.

"New inter-cultural dialogue will be initiated, new international academic partnership will be formed, hopefully new philosophy will emerge," Moran said.

The first WCP was held in Paris in 1900 and has become one of the largest philosophical events in the world.