With its forest of sails, the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center in east China's Shandong Province is a renowned local landmark and a testament to Shandong's open and inclusive spirit. It was built as a sailing competition venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Qingdao also serves as a coastal gateway for Confucian culture to reach the world.

On September 28-29, the annual Nishan Forum on World Civilizations is held in Qufu, Shandong, to commemorate the birth of Confucius, the revered sage and teacher; to sustain a cultural legacy that spans millennia; and to explore ways to integrate diverse cultural perspectives.