World philosophy congress opens in Beijing

The 24th World Congress of the International Association for Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy (IVR) opened in Beijing Tuesday.

It heard a letter of congratulations from a senior Chinese leader on behalf of China's government.

"Mankind is confronted with many challenges such as climate change, energy resources crises and terrorism. The spreading global financial crisis poses a threat to some countries' social stability", said Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, in the letter.

"The rule of law plays an important role in promoting harmony between man and the nature and among different countries, " he said.

"China is stepping up its efforts to build a socialist country ruled by law and a harmonious society", Zhou said. "And China is willing to work with people of all countries for a harmonious world of lasting peace and universal prosperity."

The biennial congress with the theme of "Global harmony and rule of law" is being held in China for the first time since it was established in Germany in 1909. It will run in Beijing until Sept 20, says the China Law Society (CLS), which is hosting the event.

More than 800 philosophers and legal experts from more than 50 countries and regions are gathering to exchange ideas concerning relations among nations, and between cultures and legal systems.