A bronze statue of ancient Chinese philosopher, thinker and educator Confucius found its new home on the campus of the Houston Community College in the U.S. state of Texas on Monday.

The statue, shipped to Houston from China's Shandong Province, the birthplace of Confucius, is said to be the first one in an education institute in the United States.

A dedication ceremony was held on Monday at the Houston Community College, with the presence of officials from the Chinese Confucius Foundation, the Houston city office, and representatives of local Chinese community and the Houston Community College.

The erection of the statue at the Houston Community College will help more Americans understand the thinking of Confucius and spread Confucius' idea for harmony and cooperation, Zhuang Chuanbing, Chinese deputy consul-general in Houston, said at the dedication ceremony.

Representatives of the college also said at the ceremony that the statue is a symbol of Chinese culture and will contribute to the Chinese study at the college.