Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni is on an official visit to Beijing, invited by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) to deliver the keynote address at the opening of the First World Conference of Classics.

The theme of the conference is "Classical Civilizations and the Modern World".
CASS was founded in 1977 and is the first academic organization of the People's Republic of China in philosophy and social sciences. Today it consists of 31 research institutes, 45 research centers, and involves over 3,200 researchers. 

According to a Greek Ministry of Culture statement, Mendoni said during a work meeting with Academy President Gao Xiang that the joint organization of the conference by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China's Ministries of Education, and of Culture & Tourism, Greece's Culture Ministry, and the Academy of Athens, signals the creation of a significant forum of dialog between classical civilizations in which Greece and China could contribute substantially. "Greek and Chinese civilizations, each with its principles and values, comprised the base for the development of the western and eastern thought, respectively. However, we must not remain in the past, but be inspired by it and build a dynamic present and a better and sustainable future," Mendoni said.

The president of the Academy, Gao Xiang, thanked Mendoni for her contribution to strengthening the cultural ties of both countries, stressing "the principles and values of ancient Greek civilization and its decisive contribution to the dialog of cultures."

The two officials also discussed extensively the institutional framework of the Chinese School of Classical Studies in Athens, which is a branch of the Chinese Academy, and of the programs that will be developed as of 2025. The School is supervised by the Greek Culture Ministry.

Accompanied by Chinese Academy Secretary General Zhao Zhimin, Mendoni was given a tour of the Archaeological Museum of the Academy's History Department that opened in 2023 and is the first purely archaeological museum in China.

The First World Conference of Classics will be held in Beijing from November 6 to 8.