JINAN -- Cultural experts have suggested setting up a Chinese equivalent of Mother's Day, during a forum in eastern China's Shandong province.

Academics with the Chinese Academy of Mencius (CAM) proposed setting April 2 on the Chinese lunar calendar as "Chinese Mother's Day" at the forum that started Tuesday in Shandong's Zoucheng city, hometown of Mencius.

Mencius (372-289 BC) was a pupil of Confucius' grandson, and traveled his life teaching Confucianism. Both Mencius and Confucius are ancient Chinese philosophers.

Mencius's mother is regarded as one of the four great mothers in ancient China, and is seen as a symbol of Chinese mothers, known for her kindness, simplicity, diligence and strong will.

Li Cunshan, CAM special deputy dean, said that more than 80 countries in the world had a Mother's Day, while China did not.

"Many Chinese people show their affection to their mothers on the second Sunday of May, or Mother's Day that is originally celebrated in the United States," Li said. "We do expect to have our own Mother's Day."

Li said that filial piety was a core concept in Chinese culture, and that it was Chinese people's aspiration to show piety to their mothers on the special day.

Experts at the forum said that the achievements of Mencius were greatly influenced by his mother, and that China should set up a Chinese Mother's Day and make it a public holiday.