On the morning of November 16, the symposium commemorating the 20th anniversary of Confucius Institutes(CI) was solemnly held at the China National Convention Center. Themed "CI Legacy and Development— At 20th, the Confucius Institute is in Its Prime". The event was attended by Vice Minister of Education Wu Yan, who delivered the keynote speech. Participants included Yang Wei, President of the Chinese International Education Foundation(CIEF) and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, representatives of Chinese and foreign partner institutions of Confucius Institutes, Chinese and foreign directors of Confucius Institutes, business representatives, media personnel, and over a thousand guests from China and abroad.
Vice Minister Wu Yan noted that President Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter greatly encourages and inspires Confucius Institutes, their students, and faculty staff, reflecting the care and support extended to them. Mr. Wu highlighted that the extraordinary journey and outstanding achievements over the past 20 years were made possible through the unwavering support of Chinese and foreign governments, active participation of diverse societal sectors, and the relentless efforts of all those involved in Confucius Institutes. He emphasized the importance of the cooperative, dedicated, innovative, and benevolent spirit that underpins these accomplishments, calling for its continued preservation and promotion. Looking ahead, Wu encouraged all parties to strengthen collaboration, dedicatedly building Confucius Institutes with more features, vibrancy, partners, and compassion. He hoped that Confucius institutes would better meet the global demand for learning the Chinese language and understanding China, advance cross-cultural exchanges among diverse civilizations, and contribute more wisdom and strength for a brighter shared future for humanity.
In his welcoming speech, President Yang Wei reflected on past two decades of Confucius Institutes, highlighting their openness and inclusivity in joining hands with various sectors to actively address global challenges confronted by humanity. Meanwhile, the Institues work hard to respond to the needs of host universities, communities, and countries, and remain adaptable to the local conditions to keep pacce with the times. Looking to the future, he envisioned Confucius Institutes embracing a more open, innovative, and pragmatic approach to furthering dialogue among diverse civilizations worldwide.
Heads of government educational institutions, Chinese hosts, local hosts, and directors of Confucius Institutes from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania shared their experiences and insights into building and operating Confucius Institutes. They offered valuable suggestions on enhancing the primary responsibilities as hosts of Confucius Institutes.
During the symposium, the Chinese International Education Foundation awards plaques to new Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms in Malaysia, Spain, Russia, and the United States. Additionally, the launch of the "Confucius Institute App" was held online, and 41 international friends were honored with special “Brilliance of CI” awards in recognition of their contributions over the past 20 years.
In the afternoon, the Foundation hosted two events: a roundtable discussion titled “Social Support and Partner Collaboration: Building a Win-Win CI Ecosystem” and a seminar themed on “Competency Building and Enhancement for CI Work.”
