Australia's Chief Minister and Minister for the Arts, Jon Stanhope on Thursday launched the Statue of Confucius in the capital city of Canberra.

Australia launched the Statue of Confucius in the capital city of Canberra on September 23, 2010.

The statue has been stalled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Beijing Sister-City Agreement.

"The 1.92-meter high limestone sculpture was carved in the Jiaxiang Stone Carving Studio, in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, a town in Shandong Province, China," Stanhope said in a statement.

"It is a gift to the people and the City of Canberra from the Australian Confucius Research Society in association with the Canberra Chinese Community Preparatory Committee of the Statue of Confucius."

Confucius, a Chinese philosopher and teacher who lived in fifth century BC, has had a profound influence on Chinese culture and thought.

"This impressive statue now marks the entry to Wooley Street, Canberra's multicultural hospitality precinct in Dickson," Stanhope said.

"This Statue of Confucius is one of seven around Australia that have been presented as gifts to institutions and communities with the aim of raising awareness of Chinese culture and promoting exchange, trade and fostering harmonious relations".

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2010)