China today celebrated the 2,566th birth anniversary of Confucius, an ancient Chinese educator, sage and philosopher who was once vilified by former Chairman Mao Zedong, but was later resurrected by the ruling party as the Communist nation's cultural icon.
Ceremonies in a number of Chinese cities marked the birth anniversary of Confucius, who is believed to be born in 551 BC in Qufu in eastern China's Shandong Province.
More than 2,000 people marched toward the Confucius Temple in Qufu, where a ceremonial dance performance was held. The participants included government officials, UNESCO officials, scholars, students and the descendants of Confucius.
About 1,800 students and residents recited quotes from Lunyu, or the Analects -- a collection of sayings and ideas attributed to Confucius and his contemporaries, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
For thousands of years, Confucius has been a symbol of China's traditional culture and intellect.
He is regarded by generations of Chinese as a great teacher and thinker whose theories have been a dominant ideology in China for more than 2,000 years until the advent of Communist Party of China headed by Mao, who believed the philosopher was feudal.
He was venerated as a great sage in ancient China, and despised as a regressive pedant during the decade-long Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) led by Mao, the report said.
After reform and opening up of policy in the late 1970s, respect for traditional Chinese culture was restored and Confucius Institutes became a feature of China's cultural influence abroad.
The later CPC leaders, including President Xi Jinping, regarded Confucius as China's cultural icon and educator.
Confucius founded Confucianism -- a school of thought that deeply influenced later generations. He was the first Chinese to set up private schools and enrol students from all walks of life. He is believed to have been born on September 28.
A ceremony was held at the Confucius Temple in Beijing.
Annual commemorations of Confucius started in 478 BC, the year after his death. There are about 1,300 Confucius temples in China and other countries and regions.
