China's first forum dedicated to dialogue among civilizations, the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, opens Sunday in Qufu City, the birthplace of China's great philosopher Confucius, in east China's Shandong Province.

More than 170 dignitaries, including Confucian scholars, Buddhists, Taoists from China and more than 30 foreign scholars and Christian personalities from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Thailand attended the two-day forum.

The forum was held "to explore building a harmonious world with diversified cultures," said Zhang Xiao'an, vice-president of the United Nations Association of China.

"I am very happy to see China hold this forum. China has diversified culture, including Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. China's wisdom and pursue of harmony can guide us," Former French President Chirac wrote in a congratulatory letter to the meeting.

"This is the biggest event in my life," said Mel Steward, visiting philosopher of Peking University, at the meeting. "There are similarities between Confucianism and Christianity which can be used as a bridge between the two."

Former Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri also addressed the opening ceremony.