The US House of Representatives filed a resolution (H. Res. 784) on September 29 honoring the 2,560th anniversary of the birth of Confucius. I'm really not sure of the politics here, but it would seem, to me, that this has something to do with showing respect for Chinese-American voters in various constituencies. 

Is this a soft power victory for the PRC?  Perhaps.  But, as I have argued before (here and here), it is not at all clear that Confucianism can be made to serve exclusively nationalist purposes.  Of course, historically, Confucianism was combined with Legalism to function as an ideology of state power in China.  But the danger for nationalists is that Confucianism contains an imminent critique of power and power-holders.  That is why, for example, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, decreed that this line from Mencius be deleted: 

The people are the most elevated, next comes the state, the sovereign comes last.

But excising this line hardly saves the apologist who is searching for a historically distorted nationalist narrative or a rationalization for established power structures.  The entire text of Mencius is an extended critique of wrong-headed and immoral leaders.

So, members of Congress should take this resolution seriously and consider what Confucius and Mencius might have to say about their own behavior.  It would not be pretty…

Full text of the resolution here for your consideration:

Resolution

Honoring the 2,560th anniversary of the birth of Confucius
and recognizing his invaluable contributions to philosophy and social
and political thought.

Whereas September 28, 551 B.C., is recognized as the date on
which Confucius was born in the town of Qufu, in what is now the
Shandong Province of China;

Whereas Confucius, who is one of the greatest thinkers,
teachers, and social philosophers in history, developed a philosophy
that has deeply influenced, and continues to influence, the social and
political thought of countries around the world, including China,
Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam;

Whereas Confucius counseled introspection, self-cultivation,
sincerity, and the observance of respect within social relationships as
a means of achieving justice and attaining morality in personal and
public life, reflecting a moral fiber of the highest degree;

Whereas the teaching of Confucius that `what one does not wish
for oneself, one ought not to do to anyone else; what one recognizes as
desirable for oneself, one ought to be willing to grant to others' is a
model for ethical behavior and for the promotion of harmony among us;

Whereas Confucius taught that an ideal government is founded
upon loyalty, respect for elders, and recognition of the importance of
family; and
Whereas Confucius taught that politicians must be models of
truthfulness and morality, which serves as a reminder to all of our
duty to serve with the utmost honor and respect: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives
honors the 2,560th anniversary of the birth of Confucius and recognizes
his invaluable contributions to philosophy and social and political
thought.