author, principal lineage protector and promoter of Confucianism Mencius (372 – 289 BC), Chinese thinker, a principal interpreter of Confucianism (main temple in Zoucheng) Yan Hui (521 BC - 490 BC), one of the famous disciples of Confucius (temple in Qufu) Lu Ban (507–440 BC), Chinese engineer, philosopher, inventor, military thinker Zuo Qiuming (5th century BC), Chinese court writer of the State of Lu, and contemporary of Confucius during the Spring and Autumn period. Kong Shangren (1648–1718), a Chinese Qing Dynasty dramatist and poet best known for his chuanqi play The Peach-Blossom Fan Qiao Yu (1927–), a famous Chinese modern songwriter and play writer. Pan Xiaoting (1982–), the first professional pool player from China to play full-time on the WPBA Tour. Xiong Jingnan (1988–), the first ever Chinese World Champion in mixed martial arts history. Sister cities Ashikaga, Tochigi, Japan (1984) Lawton, Oklahoma, United States (1995) Mulhouse, Haut-Rhin, France (1996) Komatsu, Ishikawa, Japan (2008) Taganrog, Rostov Oblast, Russia (2009) Osasco, São Paulo, Brazil (2010) Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States (2012) Angra do Heroísmo, Açores, Portugal (2015) Springfield, Illinois, United States (2019) References External links Government website of Jining (available in Chinese and English) Cities in Shandong Prefecture-level divisions of Shandong Port cities and towns in China sr:Jining