Confucius family tree to include more descendants, mainly ethnic members

More descendants of Chinese philosopher Confucius will have a chance to be recorded in the thinker's genealogical record books, believed to be the world's largest. Kong Deyong, a 77th-generation descendant of the revered Chinese philosopher, and chief compiler of the family tree, said on Sunday that compilers have started updating the records in Qufu, Shandong province, and descendants may inquire and register at any time.

"At least an additional 600,000 descendants of Confucius will be included," he said, adding that the latest revision also represents a change to an old rule that the books may only be revised every 30 or 60 years.

The new additions are mainly ethnic members, women and people living overseas who are blood descendants of Confucius and whose names had not been included in the family tree.