Beijing, May 10, 2025 – The "Inaugural International I Ching & Modern Environment Symposium," eagerly anticipated by global I Ching and environmental science communities, grandly opened and successfully concluded today at the Global Feng Shui Association (GFSA) Beijing Headquarters Conference Center. Hosted by the GFSA and co-organized with several internationally renowned universities' East Asian Studies Centers and Environmental Science Departments, the symposium successfully attracted over 150 top scholars, senior environmental experts, urban planners, and I Ching practitioners from more than twenty countries and regions. They gathered for two days of high-level, interdisciplinary in-depth discussions and exchanges on the innovative applications and future prospects of I Ching wisdom in key areas such as modern environmental planning, sustainable architectural design, eco-city development, and climate change response.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Ms. Li Hui, Executive Vice President of the Global Feng Shui Association. Professor Zhang Mingyuan, President of the Association, delivered an enthusiastic keynote speech titled "The Contemporary Echo of Eastern Wisdom: I Ching and Humanity's Sustainable Future." President Zhang emphasized that the I Ching and its derivative Yixue system, as treasures of outstanding traditional Chinese culture, embody a holistic cosmological view of "harmony between heaven and humanity," a dynamic developmental view of "ceaseless generation," and a harmonious balancing view of "centrality and harmony nurturing all things." These concepts hold irreplaceable, profound contemporary significance and universal value for guiding modern society in effectively addressing increasingly severe environmental challenges, promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, and building a community with a shared future for mankind. The Association hopes that this event will build a high-end, international platform for academic exchange and intellectual collision,凝聚 global wisdom and consensus, and jointly promote a new era of modernization and international dissemination of I Ching research.

President Zhang Mingyuan delivering a keynote speech at the symposium.
President Zhang Mingyuan of the Global Feng Shui Association delivering the keynote speech.

Keynote Reports and Parallel Forum Discussions Were Rich and Varied

During the two-day conference agenda, several internationally renowned heavyweight guests delivered brilliant keynote reports. Professor Liu Wei, a renowned I Ching expert from the School of Philosophy at Renmin University of China, gave a presentation titled "The Triple Realms of 'Invariability, Variability, and Simplicity' in the I Ching and Resilience Development Strategies in Urban Renewal." From a philosophical height, he deeply analyzed the profound inspiration and practical paths of basic I Ching principles for guiding and constructing sustainable, resilient modern cities. Dr. Alistair Finch, a professor from the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at MIT (USA), shared his latest research findings titled "The Convergence of Eastern Field Concepts and Western Ecological Architecture: A Cross-Cultural Exploration of Future Healthy Human Settlements." His unique cross-cultural comparative perspective and insightful views sparked enthusiastic responses and widespread attention among attendees.

"The I Ching is not a product of mysticism, but a profound insight and crystallization of wisdom from our ancestors regarding the operational laws of the universe. Organically combining its core ideas with modern scientific methodologies will surely open new avenues and provide unique methodological support for us to effectively solve many complex problems facing contemporary society."

— Professor Liu Wei, Renmin University of China

Furthermore, this symposium meticulously planned and successfully held four parallel forums, with themes covering: "I Ching Principles and Innovations in Green Low-Carbon Architecture," "Feng Shui Qi Field Simulation and Application in the Digital Age," "Traditional Settlement Wisdom and Sustainable Revitalization of Modern Rural Areas," and "Frontiers in I Ching and Environmental Research for Young Scholars." Representatives in each forum actively and fruitfully discussed and exchanged in-depth ideas based on their respective professional research fields and practical experiences, enthusiastically sharing the latest academic research progress, innovative technological applications, and successful practical cases. Attendees widely agreed that creatively integrating the core essence of I Ching and Feng Shui studies with modern technological means and cutting-edge design concepts is a key strategic path to promote innovative breakthroughs and sustainable development in related disciplines.

Release of the "Beijing Initiative" and Future Cooperation Prospects

At the closing ceremony, the symposium solemnly released the "Beijing Initiative: A Shared Vision for Deepening Interdisciplinary Innovation and Development between I Ching and Modern Environmental Science." This initiative, embodying the collective wisdom of the attending experts, calls on global academia, industry, and government decision-making bodies to further strengthen international cooperation and resource sharing, jointly committing to carry forward traditional Eastern ecological wisdom, contribute to global environmental governance, and actively serve the construction of a more harmonious, healthy, and sustainable common home for humanity. The Global Feng Shui Association also announced at the closing ceremony the official establishment of the "International Cooperation Special Fund for I Ching and Environmental Research," to primarily support basic theoretical innovation research, interdisciplinary application projects, and the cultivation and international exchange of outstanding young talents in related fields.

Attendees expressed that this symposium was cutting-edge in content, meticulously organized, and facilitated thorough exchanges. It not only significantly enhanced their scientific understanding of the deep relationship between I Ching wisdom and modern environmental protection but also laid a solid foundation for future international academic research and cross-border project cooperation. The Global Feng Shui Association pledged to spare no effort in building this series of symposiums into a flagship brand academic event with significant international influence in the fields of I Ching and environmental science, planning to hold it regularly to continuously promote the prosperity, progress, and innovative development of this discipline.