The Ministry of Civil Affairs recently released the 2025 National Social Organization Evaluation Rating, granting the International Confucian Association (ICA) the top 5A-level designation for national social organizations. This recognition follows the ICA's being recognized as an "Outstanding Social Organization" by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for the third consecutive year.

The national social organization evaluation, conducted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs in accordance with the National Social Organization Evaluation Management Regulations, provides a comprehensive assessment of registered organizations in terms of foundational conditions, internal governance, work performance, and social reputation. The 5A level represents the highest level of distinction.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs releases the 2025 National Social Organization Evaluation Rating.

Founded in October 1994, the ICA is a non-profit international academic and cultural organization voluntarily formed by Confucianism-related academic groups, institutions, and individuals worldwide. With its permanent headquarters in Beijing, it is the first international academic and cultural organization in the history of the People's Republic of China to establish its permanent headquarters in the country.

The ICA operates under the guidance and supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and is registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs. In 2018, it was granted special consultative status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The ICA's mission is to study and carry forward the essence of Confucianism and other traditional Chinese culture, promote the global dissemination and practice of Confucianism, and facilitate exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese civilization and other civilizations, with the goal of promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, world peace and development, and the progress of human civilization. By the end of 2025, the ICA had 985 group and individual members spanning 133 countries and regions worldwide.

The International Confucian Association holds a thematic meeting in Beijing to study the guiding principles of the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Since its seventh National Congress in 2024, the ICA has been dedicated to pursuing lofty ideals including establishing moral principles for the world, ensuring welfare for the people, preserving the wisdom of ancient sages, and fostering lasting peace for future generations, under the leadership of its President, Sun Chunlan, who has emphasized embracing responsibility, seizing new opportunities, and striving for greater contributions.

Shouldering the cultural mission of the new era, the ICA, with the support of the Chinese government and the international community and through the joint efforts of its members, council members, and advisors, has achieved notable progress across various areas with growing academic, social, and international influence, making new contributions to building China into a country with strong culture and building a community with a shared future for humanity.

The second meeting of the 7th Executive Committee of the International Confucian Association is held in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province.

The ICA has actively served as a bridge for cross-civilizational understanding. To mark the first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, it organized visits to Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, and hosted events such as the Hehe Civilization Forum and the Islam-Confucianism Civilizational Dialogue.

The association also held the Conference on Zhu Xi's Philosophy and Dialogue of Global Civilization to promote the global dissemination of the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).

Moreover, the ICA signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Islamic University Malaysia to promote Confucian-Islamic dialogue—the first state-level exchange on such themes between the two countries. The ICA also submitted a written speech titled "Practicing the Global Civilization Initiative: Building Partnerships for Achieving Goals" to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development held by the ECOSOC, which was published on the forum's official platform.

In the realm of academic and cultural endeavors, the ICA completed the publication of works such as Global Confucianism in an Era of Great Transformation, the Translation Series of Overseas Sinological Studies on Ancient Chinese Poets‌, and the fourth volume of The Great Way of Knowledge and Action. It also supported the production of two national cultural documentaries: Confucius and Us and The People's Traditional Chinese Medicine.

In addition, the ICA has deepened the implementation of its scholars program to accelerate the cultivation of cultural ambassadors skilled in promoting dialogues between Chinese and other civilizations, and to enhance international exchanges among young Sinologists worldwide.

Sun Chunlan, president of the International Confucian Association, addresses the Conference on Zhu Xi's Philosophy and Dialogue of Global Civilization and the fourth Kaoting Forum.

Sun Chunlan, president of the International Confucian Association, addresses the 11th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations.

The research report Global Confucianism in an Era of Great Transformation is published.

The ICA regards this evaluation as an opportunity to pursue high-quality development by thoroughly implementing State policies on social organization management, improving its internal development under the guidance of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and achieving higher levels of organizational standardization.

Daci Yanfu Palace, the permanent headquarters of the International Confucian Association

The recognition as a national 5A-level social organization marks a new beginning for the ICA. The association will continue to unite its global membership, actively advance the GCI, deepen the study, inheritance, and international dissemination of Confucianism, and establish itself as a key platform for civilizational exchange and international humanities cooperation. Through these efforts, the ICA aims to enhance the global reach and influence of Chinese civilization and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.