Confucius in Modern China: Celebration and State Engagement

Kong Fuzi (Confucius) born $2{,}560$ years earlier; birthday celebrated at the Confucian Temple in Qufu.
Attendance around $10{,}000$ people: descendants, scholars, government officials, and foreign representatives.
Attendee highlighted by Kong Dejun: “I was touched to see my ancestor being revered by people from different countries and nations.”
Notable because the celebration occurred in a country still ruled by the Communist Party, which had long sought to discredit Confucius and his teachings.
Despite earlier discrediting, Confucius is now treated as a national treasure; the state established over $300$ Confucian Institutes to study his writings.
Confucius appears in TV shows and movies, reflecting his presence in modern culture.

In the communist outlook, Confucianism was associated with class inequality, patriarchy, feudalism, superstition, and backwardness.
Yet the ancient teacher/outlasted modern communism; the party now promotes Confucius as a national treasure.
The regime has established over $300$ Confucian Institutes to study his writings.

Confucius’s ongoing visibility in media (TV shows and movies) signals mainstream cultural and diplomatic relevance.