Centers foster harmony in the countryside

It was a late November day. As a cold wind blew outside, warm sounds of laughter and music emanated from the cultural civilization center at Nanxue village. Inside, residents practiced traditional Chinese art forms, from calligraphy to musical instruments.

The village belongs to Qufu, Shandong province, the birthplace of the philosopher Confucius, who advocated benevolence, righteousness and courtesy, among other harmonious qualities.

Centers like the one in Nanxue can be found throughout the city and are an extension of the so-called mediation rooms, which the local authorities have been using to solve disputes between rural residents.