“Confucius Institutes Serve as Bridges for People-to-people Bonds”
Central and Eastern European Countries Confucius Institutes Summer Camp Officially Opens in Beijing

On July 18th, the opening ceremony of the “Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Confucius Institutes Summer Camp 2017” was held at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU). The Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) sponsored the summer camp that sees the presence of 821 students and teachers from 16 Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC). Ma Jianfei, Deputy Chief Executive of the Confucius Institute Headquarters and Deputy Director-General of Hanban, Han Zhen, Secretary of the CPC Committee of Beijing Foreign Studies University, envoys and diplomats of 12 CEEC in China, and delegates from some universities in China were present at the opening ceremony.

Ma Jianfei, Deputy Chief Executive of the Confucius Institute Headquarters and Deputy Director-General of Hanban, delivering a speech

Ma Jianfei first extended warm welcome to teachers and students of the Confucius Institutes from CEEC. He pointed out that Confucius Institutes have been actively offering strong support for people from the 16 CEEC to learn Chinese language and understand China, establishing effective platforms for strengthening cultural exchanges and people-to-people bonds between China and CEEC, and making great contributions to propel cooperation between China and CEEC in various fields.

Ma Jianfei placed high hopes on the camp members. He stated that the Belt and Road Initiative is an opportunity from China but shared by all. The cooperation between China and CEEC needs a batch of young talents who are equipped with the language and cultural knowledge of the countries involved. Thus, every camp member faces with a promising future. He hoped that the camp members could serve as envoys of friendship and mainstays of the exchanges and communication between China and CEEC.

Janez Premo?e, Slovenian Ambassador to China, delivering a speech

Janez Premo?e, Slovenian Ambassador to China, expressed that Confucius Institutes have built quality platforms for people in CEEC, particularly young people, to know China, and played an important role in promoting exchanges among countries around the world. Against the backdrop of increasing people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the European Union countries, the Confucius Institutes Summer Camp organized by the Confucius Institute Headquarters carries remarkable significance.

Han Zhen, Secretary of the CPC Committee of Beijing Foreign Studies University, addressing the ceremony

In his remarks, Han Zhen, Secretary of the CPC Committee of Beijing Foreign Studies University encouraged all the camp members to experience the history, culture and local customs of China, and to see more, listen more, ask more and think more. The camp members shall experience the interaction and integration of different cultures in exchanges and dialogues, striving to contribute to a more harmonious and inclusive world.

Deputy Director-General Ma Jianfei, Secretary Han Zhen, and envoys and diplomats of CEEC presenting flags to summer camp groups

Afterwards, foreign students and students of Beijing Foreign Studies University jointly gave a splendid art performance. Exceptional Chinese language skills of the students and the distinctive Chinese and foreign cultures in the show won rounds of applause from the audience. A knowledge contest session was specially designed in the performance, which helped students of China and CEEC to enhance their understanding about different cultures, perfectly demonstrating the collision and integration between Chinese and foreign cultures.

Art performance Tai Chi Fan

Art performance A Lane in the Rain

After the opening ceremony, members of the summer camp will conduct exchanges and visit 11 provinces and municipalities across China in groups.