2018 Joint Conference of Confucius Institutes in Africa
Li Zhanshu Attends and Addresses Opening Ceremony

2018 Joint Conference of Confucius Institutes in Africa Held in Maputo, capital of Mozambique

On the afternoon of May 14th, 2018, the Joint Conference of Confucius Institutes in Africa was held in Maputo, capital of Mozambique. The conference, which was the largest in scale ever, was attended by more than 300 representatives including Chinese principals and directors of more than 60 Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms from 41 African countries as well as representatives from Chinese and African enterprises and institutions. Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, who was visiting Mozambique, attended and addressed the opening ceremony in the company of Veronica Macamo, Speaker of the Parliament of Mozambique.

Orlando António Quilambo, President of Eduardo Mondlane University, stated in his welcome speech that since its establishment in 2012, the Confucius Institute at Eduardo Mondlane University has achieved fruitful results in providing Chinese language teaching and promoting cultural and educational exchanges between China and Mozambique. This conference would offer an important platform for the Confucius Institutes in Africa in innovating ideas of development, enhancing the quality of education, strengthening collaboration and promoting common progress.

Jorge Nhambiu, Minister of Science, Technology, Higher Education and Vocational Education of Mozambique, said in his speech that Eduardo Mondlane University is the oldest and most well-known comprehensive university in Mozambique. The Confucius Institute is an important institution of Chinese language teaching and Chinese culture communication across the world. The event held by Mozambique for the first time was a significant milestone in educational, cultural and social exchanges between China and Africa.

Ms. Veronica Macamo, Speaker of the Parliament of Mozambique, speaking at the opening ceremony

Speaker Veronica Macamo stated that Chinese education is of great significance to boosting economic and social development in Mozambique, and the Confucius Institute has played an essential role in promoting Chinese language. She hoped that this conference would provide some success experience for other countries in promoting Chinese learning.

Li Zhanshu pointed out in his speech that more than 500 Confucius Institutes and 1,000 Confucius Classrooms in primary and middle schools in over 140 countries and regions have been established and they have played a unique role in and contributed to promoting cultural exchanges, communication and friendship between Chinese and other people of the world over the past decade. In Africa, 54 Confucius Institutes and 30 Confucius Classrooms have been established in 41 countries, with a total enrollment of more than 1.4 million students, making Africa the region enjoying the highest Chinese teaching efficiency. At present, the all-round friendly cooperation between China and Africa is at a new starting point in history. He hoped that both sides would continue their sincere cooperation and make joint efforts in improving the teaching quality and level of Confucius Institutes, actively participate in the construction of the “Belt and Road”, and make new and greater contributions to promoting exchanges and cooperation in education and culture as well as mutual understanding and friendship between China and Africa, a community of shared future for China and Africa, and pushing forward the development of a diverse world civilization.

At the opening ceremony, Li Zhanshu also delivered the plaques to the newly-established Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms, and visited the exhibition of teaching achievements by the Confucius Institutes (Classrooms) in Africa.

Students from the Confucius Institute in Mozambique performing at the opening ceremony

At this two-day conference, case sharing and panel discussions focusing on the “Confucius Institute Innovation and Characteristics Development”, “Upgrading the Teaching Quality of Confucius Institutes”, and “Strengthening Collaborative Cooperation and Sharing Experience among Confucius Institutes” will be conducted. The heads of the seven universities from China and Africa will also hold a forum themed on “Promoting China-Africa Friendly Cooperation and Building a Community of Shared future for China and Africa”.

(Photo by CRI Online, China Media Group)