During the World Chinese Language Conference, the Forum for Future Development of the Confucius Institute was held at the China National Convention Center on December 7 and 8. The forum is organized by the Chinese International Education Foundation (CIEF), the brand operator of the Confucius Institute (CI). More than a thousand representatives of Chinese and overseas partner institutions of CI, Chinese and local CI directors, representatives of enterprises and media, and Chinese and international guests gathered to discuss the growth and development of CI, the leading brand of international Chinese language education. This is the first offline international conference of CIs since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zhang Junli, Deputy Secretary-General of CIEF, presided over the meeting

   Ma Jianfei, director general of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), attended the forum and shared his opinions about CI from the perspective of a person who has witnessed CI from establishment and development to change in management model. The CI is a seed, starting its journey from China and taking root in different cities worldwide. Thanks to this two-way platform for communication and cooperation, the largest worldwide, the connections in education, academia, and people-to-people exchanges between China and the rest of the world have become more pragmatic and solid; the education sector has further opened to the outside world to achieve significant accomplishments in cooperation in a wide range of areas. This aligns with the real demands of deepening international understanding and advancing mutual learning of different civilizations. CI’s role as a link has become more prominent in the vision for creating a community with a shared future for humanity. CI’s past, present, and future are also the choices of the people of different countries, who make their decisions through practical actions to pursue a harmonious world in which diverse civilizations are respected. Despite all the misunderstandings, doubts, and stigma, more people will recognize CI’s value in a future marked with trials and hardships. CI belongs to the world and serves the world. As Ma Jianfei expressed, supporting the development of international Chinese language education is always a responsibility of CLEC. Alongside its continued efforts to develop a resource system for international Chinese language education, CLEC will actively support constructing CIs while providing services to a more extensive group of Chinese language learners worldwide. Its service guidelines align with the World Chinese Language Conference theme: Chinese for the World, Openness into the Future.

 Ma Jianfei, director general of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation

Duan Peng, the newly appointed vice president of CIEF and president of Beijing Language and Culture University, delivered a welcome speech at the forum. According to Duan Peng, after 19 years of perseverance and hard work, CI has grown into the world’s largest and most widely recognized institution of Chinese language education. As the leading brand of international Chinese language education, CI not only spreads Chinese language education worldwide but also provides a platform that helps people understand Chinese culture and strengthens the friendship between China and the world. In the face of new tasks entrusted by the changing times, CIEF will cooperate with Chinese and international partner institutions and external partners to promote the development of CIs in a more global and innovative direction.

Duan Peng, the newly appointed vice president of CIEF and president of Beijing Language and Culture University

Tony Browne, senior consultant on Confucius Institute global development and former Ambassador of New Zealand to China, raised a question in his speech: Why should every university in today’s world seek to establish or renew a CI? Our answer and core goal are obvious: It is in our interest to understand China and get young people, communities, and businesspeople interested in Chinese culture, making them understand China’s contributions to the global culture. It is because we know that China is of great importance. He also noted that a unique feature of CI is that it is established based on partnerships. A CI is more likely to succeed if it is better integrated with university life; a successful cooperative relationship is jointly shaped by universities’ goals, policies, and logistical support.

Tony Browne, senior consultant on Confucius Institute global development and former Ambassador of New Zealand to China

Uzodinma Chinenye Gerlof , a Nigerian doctoral student from Beijing Foreign Studies University recalled his days of learning Chinese at the CI at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Nigeria. As he specified, learning Chinese at a CI and being awarded a scholarship to study in China epitomize how many international students study in China. He believed that the platform would offer more opportunities to and support numerous people willing to learn Chinese and understand China like him. As an important international language, Chinese has become a bond to push forward mutual understanding among different countries and ethnic groups and promote peaceful development.

Uzodinma Chinenye Gerlof , a Nigerian doctoral student from Beijing Foreign Studies University

Zhao Lingshan, vice president and secretary-general of CIEF, delivered a keynote speech at the forum. He called on all parties committed to the construction of CIs to pool their wisdom and meditate on passing down and developing the brand. He recalled how CI was created in 2004, how the operation of the CI brand was transformed, and how the foundation for the brand-based development of the CI was laid. As another China-initiated program with win-win goals that received a global response, CI plays a fundamental, far-reaching, and guiding role in educational cooperation and exchange between China and other countries. The increasing influence of the CI brand indicates the continuous evolution of the features of the CIs. As pointed out by Zhao Lingshan, we are now at a critical historical stage that links the past and the future; while seeing the bright future, we cannot ignore the challenges ahead. Since the establishment of CIEF, all parties at home and abroad have cooperated in line with the concepts of openness, innovation, collaboration, and coexistence to raise more resources and pool their wisdom for the better development of CI. CI was, and will inevitably remain, the leading brand of international Chinese language education.

Zhao Lingshan, vice president and secretary-general of CIEF

This forum covers the following three topics: Strengthening Connectivity to Promote Coordinated Development of Confucius Institutes, which emphasizes the need to seek and expand new channels of cooperation based on respect to the characteristics and demands of different regions and cultures; Digital Development and Resource Sharing of Confucius Institutes, which has become necessary for the development of CIs as they will benefit from the design of a greater number of practical digital solutions in future; and Enhancing Characteristic Development to Increase Influence of the Confucius Institute Brand , which is a new task for all CIs. Specifically, improving the quality and perception of the brand, extending the reach of it, and establishing a network of partners have become the key. During the following forums, representatives will discuss the aforementioned topics, share their experiences and achievements, and put forward suggestions for the future development of CIs.