On December 1, 2019, the Confucius Institute of Antigua and Barbuda held a grand inauguration ceremony at the Five Islands Campus of the University of the West Indies in Antigua and Barbuda. As the first Confucius Institute in the Eastern Caribbean, this momentous occasion marks the deepening of cooperation between the two countries in the field of education and the new progress in building a high-quality "Belt and Road".

During the event, Governor Williams; Michael Browne, Minister of Education, Science and Technology; Joseph, Minister of Health; Sun Ang, Ambassador of China to Antigua and Barbuda; Hong Gang, President of Zhejiang International Studies University and nearly two hundred people from all walks of life witnessed this historic moment. The establishment of the Confucius Institute has not only been highly valued by the governments of both countries, but also widely supported by all walks of life.

As an important partner of the Confucius Institute of Antigua and Barbuda, Hong Gang said in his speech that the establishment of the Confucius Institute is an important milestone in Zhejiang International Studies University's internationalization strategy. The university will actively utilize its experience in international exchange and international promotion of Chinese language, as well as the faculty advantages, to make greater contributions to the humanistic exchanges between the two countries.

In his speech at the ceremony, Ambassador Sun Aung spoke highly of the efforts made by the government departments and relevant cooperation units of both countries in promoting the establishment of the Confucius Institute, and emphasized the importance of Chinese language learning for deepening cooperation and enhancing exchanges between the two countries. He said that the establishment of the Confucius Institute is an important achievement in the development of relations between the two countries and an early harvest of the joint construction of the high-quality "Belt and Road". He hoped that the Confucius Institute would continue to play a positive role in injecting lasting momentum into the development of bilateral relations and friendship between the two peoples.

In his speech, Governor Williams congratulated the establishment of the Confucius Institute and emphasized the close cooperation between the two countries in the field of education. He expressed the gratitude of the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda to China for its long-term valuable support to Antigua and Barbuda and hoped that local students would cherish the learning opportunities and strengthen their capacity through the Confucius Institute and the scholarships and other programs provided by the Chinese government, so as to lay a good foundation for their personal and national development.

In addition, Michael Brown also warmly congratulated the establishment of the Confucius Institute and emphasized the importance of the Chinese language in the international community. He said that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Antigua and Barbuda will fully support the construction of the Confucius Institute and encourage local students to actively learn Chinese language to improve their competitiveness in the international community.

During the inauguration ceremony, representatives of Antigua and Barbuda teachers, primary and secondary school students also performed wonderful programs such as songs, recitations and dances, which made the atmosphere warm and joyful. The establishment of the Confucius Institute of Antigua and Barbuda not only provides a platform for the people of the two countries to learn and communicate, but also injects new vitality into promoting the development of the relationship between China and Antigua and Barbuda.