Explainer: Why China champions studies of distant pasts

BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- In an increasingly volatile world, China is trying something different.

This week, the first-ever World Conference of Classics, jointly held by China and Greece, debuted in Beijing, gathering over 400 heavyweight scholars and cultural luminaries. It is seen as a move to encourage the world to draw from the wellspring of ancient wisdom for better mutual understanding.

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