Ningbo in East China's Zhejiang province is set to launch a cultural week to mark Chinese Neo-Confucian philosopher Wang Yangming's 548th birthday, which falls on Oct 31 every year.

The event, to be held from Oct 30 to Nov 5, will include an opening ceremony, forums, seminars, exhibitions and contests, according to a government press conference on Oct 20.

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

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.

Ningbo has long been committed to the research, promotion, and dissemination of Wang Yangming's ideas.

In recent years, the city has rebuilt the Former Residence of Wang Yangming and constructed several landmarks to commemorate the local dignitary, including Zhongtian Pavilion and Yangming Park.

Last year, an ancient town named after Wang broke ground in Yuyao. One of the main buildings in the town, Yaojiang Academy, will be erected to the west of the Former Residence of Wang Yangming, according to its initial construction plan released at the conference.

A government-sponsored TV drama themed around the great philosopher is also in production.