Jining, a small city of east China's Shandong Province, is now expecting a new construction plan, from overseas Chinese worldwide, to build an exhibition city showcasing Confucius and Mencius' hometown and their lives, sources with the local government said Thursday.

Xu Jialu, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee and also chief of the construction project, said Confucius and Mencius, the two greatest philosophers of ancient China, symbolize the essence of Chinese traditional culture and thought.

"The construction is the best way not only to commemorate the ancient masters, but also to give people more vivid picture of Chinese culture to the world," Xu said.

According to him, overseas Chinese are welcomed to draw plans for the construction in three parts, including the theme of the city, the content of the construction, and the exhibition forms that could highlight the spirit of the philosophers. "The plan should fully represent Chinese traditional culture and carry academic research value," Xu said, adding that the plan should also be widely acclaimed by overseas Chinese and of high artistry.

The deadline for the recruitment of the construction plan will fall on December 15 this year.

Confucius (551-479 BC), native of Qufu, Shandong Province was a great thinker, philosopher and educator in ancient China. He devoted his whole life to teaching people four things: culture, conduct, loyalty and honesty. Confucius and his philosophy have, during the past 2,550 years, profoundly influenced the politics, values and ethics of China.

Mencius, who lived during the Warring States period (476-221 BC) , became a pupil of Zi Si, grandson of Confucius. He traveled all his life from place to place as an expounder of Confucianism.

A Confucian temple in Confucius' hometown in Qufu City, Shandong Province, was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage in 1995.

(CRI.com July 4, 2005)