Ding Zhongli, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, announces the opening of the 2020 Ningbo (Yuyao) Yangming Cultural Week in Yuyao, a county-level city in Ningbo on Oct 31. [Photo/WeChat account: nbfb0574] 

The 2020 Ningbo (Yuyao) Yangming Cultural Week began on Oct 31 in Yuyao, a county-level city in Ningbo, according to local media reports.

The week-long event marks Chinese Neo-Confucian philosopher Wang Yangming's 548th birthday, which falls on Oct 31 every year. 

Wang Yangming (1472–1529) was a Chinese statesman, general, and Neo–Confucian philosopher born in Yuyao. He is perhaps best known for his doctrine of "unity of knowing and acting," which can be interpreted as a denial of weakness of will.

Qiu Dongyao, mayor of Ningbo, said that the city has long been committed to the research, promotion, and dissemination of traditional culture, including Wang's ideas, in an effort to develop itself into a national cultural hub. 

The event, slated to run until Nov 5, will include forums, seminars, exhibitions, and contests.

A documentary entitled Wang Yangming will be released during the week, and is set to air on China Central Television by the end of this year.