The China Africa Press Center Delegation Visits Confucius Institute Headquarters

On August 25th, 27 journalists of the mainstream media from 27 African countries visited the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban). Xia Jianhui, Deputy Director of Hanban, received the delegation and held an discussion with them.

Xia Jianhui elaborated the profound historical and cultural origins between China and Africa as well as the common characteristics of Chinese and African cultures that worship nature and gratitude. He introduced the relationship between Hanban and the Confucius Institute Headquarters and the purpose of the headquarters to teach Chinese and promoting mutual cultural exchanges. Xia adopted the metaphor of freshwater, sea water and fish to illustrate the ultimate significance of understanding cultural differences and promoting mutual understanding, respect and inclusiveness among cultures, as well as transnational cooperation and world peace. Confucius Institutes are established on the basis of cultural exchanges and inclusive cooperation, which highly conform to the spirit of the “Belt and Road” initiative in creating a community of shared future for mankind. At the meeting, the journalists actively raised questions and the two sides had an in-depth discussion on such issues as “China-Africa cultural exchanges”, “Confucius Institutes and the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative” and “the universal values in traditional Chinese culture”. Through visits and exchanges, the journalists all said that they have gained a better understanding of the institutes and also expressed their wishes to study at an institute or to apply for the establishment of an institute back to their own countries.

The delegation is organized by the China-Africa Press Center, which is affiliated to the China Public Diplomacy Association. They will conduct a 10-month interview and exchanges in China. As of now, they have already covered some China’s major internal and diplomatic affairs, such as the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the Two Sessions in 2017.