Zhao Lingshan, vice president and secretary general of the CIEF, met with Mr. Sambaniaina Nomenjanahary Jean-Victor, the chargé d’affaires ad interim at the Embassy of Madagascar in China; Mr. Tang Jinghong, president of Jiujiang Vocational University; and other guests on November 16, 2023, to discuss the establishment of an independent Confucius Classroom at the University of Fianarantsoa in Madagascar.

Mr. Sambaniaina elaborated on the current status of the Department of Chinese Language at the University of Fianarantsoa and its students, hoping that the establishment of another Confucius Institute or Confucius Classroom can better satisfy the increased demands of the people of Madagascar to learn Chinese language and culture.

As expressed by Mr. Tang Jinghong, based on the characteristics and advantages of Jiujiang Vocational University, it is hoped that Jiujiang Vocational University will enter into a new partnership with the University of Fianarantsoa to teach vocational skills through the platform of the Confucius Institute in the future.

Secretary General Zhao Lingshan extended his welcome to the delegation led by Mr. Sambaniaina and Mr. Tang Jinghong, and praised the close attention that the University of Fianarantsoa pays to teaching Chinese language. He also described CIEF’s functions and relevant workflows to the guests. At present, two Confucius Institutes have been set up in Madagascar.