Dr. Guo Jian Leads the Hebei University Delegation to Attend the 13th Confucius Institute Conference

The 13th Confucius Institute Conference was held from December 3 to 5 in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province in southwest China. Themed on "Facilitating the new development through reform and innovation; Forging a brighter future with concerted efforts", the event welcomed over 1,500 delegates from 154 countries and regions. About 1,500 delegates from over 150 countries and regions, including university presidents and directors of Confucius Institutes at home and abroad, attended the opening ceremony. Madame Sun Chunlan, Vice-Premier of the State Council of China and chair of the Council of Confucius Institute Headquarters attended the conference and delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony, which was chaired by Mr. Chen Baosheng, Minister of Education of China and vice-chair of the Council of Confucius Institute Headquarters. Dr. Guo Jian, the Secretary of Party Committee, attended the conference as the leader of HBU delegation, joined by related staff of International Cooperation Office and College of International Exchange and Education, Hebei University. Delegations from Confucius Institutes co-established by HBU and Xavier University of Louisiana USA, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro Brazil, University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya in Mauritania and University Malaysia Pahang also participated in the conference.

Vice Premier Sun Chunlan delivered plaques to 10 new Confucius Institutes in 9 countries at the opening ceremony, including the one at University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya in Mauritania. The Chinese government encourages cross-cultural exchanges and supports the Chinese side and its foreign partners in making Confucius Institute a success, Sun said. She emphasized that the Confucius Institute should innovate teaching methods, nurture more qualified teachers and improve the quality evaluation system. It should also launch the “Chinese +” program and build platforms for country-to-country friendly exchanges, thus making contributions to deepen friendship with other countries and build a community with a shared future for humanity. Charles. Reynold Verret, President of Xavier University of USA which has cooperation with HBU, was rewarded the Individual Performance Excellence Award by Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban).

While in Chengdu, Dr. Guo Jian and staff from International Cooperation Office of HBU attended the training session held by Hebei Provincial Education Department for universities and elementary schools and secondary schools participating in the establishment of Confucius Institutes (Classrooms) in Hebei Province. Dr. Guo Jian delivered a speech to introduce experience in building Confucius Institutes of HBU. During the conference, Dr. Guo Jian and delegation members participated parallel sessions about different contents in various levels. Dr. Guo Jian also met delegations from the 4 cooperating Confucius Institutes and exchanged ideas on enhancing in-depth cooperation. Together with Professor Dato Sri Dr Daing Mohd Nasir Bin Daing Ibrahim VC of University Malaysia Pahang, Dr. Guo Jian met Mr. Zhao Guocheng, Deputy Director-General of the Confucius Institute Headquarters and Vice Director of Hanban, and Wang Yong, Director of Planning Department of Hanban, about further development of the Confucius Institute at University Malaysia Pahang.

This year's event featured two seminars, 20 workshops and eight sessions for Chinese and foreign university presidents. Delegates of China and other countries discussed for two days various topics such as innovation in school patterns and management system of Confucius Institutes, characterized development of “Chinese +” and Confucius Institutes, digitization of Confucius Institutes and establishment of diverse partnership among different educational organizations.

The Confucius Institute Conference, dubbed the “Davos” of education, is a grand gathering for all Confucius Institutes across the world, and has been held successfully for 13 times. As of now, there have been 548 Confucius Institutes, 1,193 primary and high school Confucius Classrooms and 5,665 teaching sites established in 154 countries and regions. The Confucius Institutes have become the “bridge-builder” for civilization exchanges between China and foreign countries. They are also important windows to show China to the world as well as deepen friendship and cooperation between China and other countries. HBU has established 4 Confucius Institutes with overseas universities, which are Xavier University of Louisiana USA, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro Brazil, University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya in Mauritania and University Malaysia Pahang. Co-constructed by the Ministry of Education and Hebei Provincial Peoples’ Government, HBU as a comprehensive university will carry out the mission of promoting the traditional Chinese culture far and wide. It will improve the quality and efficiency to bring work of Confucius Institutes to a new high level. 

Group photo with officials of Hanban

      Dr. Guo Jian met the representatives of Xavier University of Louisiana USA

Dr. Guo Jian met the representatives of University Malaysia Pahang

Dr. Guo Jian presented  souvenir to Mr. Pe. Alvaro, the vice president of Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro Brazil

     Dr. Guo Jian presented  souvenir to Mr. Ahmedou Haouba, the president of Nouakchott Al Aasriya in Mauritania

    Sun Chunlan delivered plaques to 10 new Confucius Institutes