BEIJING, April 6 -- Confucius is alive and well--at least in the memories of hundreds of his descendents.

    A memorial for the ancient Chinese sage was held Sunday in east China's Qufo city in Shangdong Province.

    More than 300 of Confucius' descendants from around the world took part in a commemorative ritual as part of the Qingming Festival, otherwise known as Tomb-Sweeping Day. The participants, all of whom bear the Confucius family name of "Kong," burned incense and kowtowed at their ancestor's tomb.

    Soudbite:Kong Debiao, Confucius' Descendant "As one of Confucius' Descendants in northeast China's Liaoning Province, it is the first time for me to join the memorial ceremony for Confucius. I feel so proud and excited."

    The ceremony was held in the ancestral cemetery of the Confucius family, known as Confucius Forest, which was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1994.

    Sunday's family ritual followed Saturday's public ceremony organized by officials in Qufu, the sage's hometown.

    Born in 551 B.C., Confucius is regarded by China as a national treasure. His theories and ideology continue to influence Chinese society and enrich the world.

    Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Jinan. (XHTV)