The ‘Global Annual Conference of Confucius Institutes’ for 2019 was named ‘International Chinese Language Education Conference’ and was held at the Joyous City Conference Centre, Saint Tropez Hotel, Changsha, China, 09th-10th December 2019.
Changsha is the capital and most populous city of Hunan province. Changsha has a history of more than 3,000 years and was the capital of Changsha Kingdom in the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). There is a rich history of local craft traditions. In addition, Changsha is famously known for being the site of Mao Zedong's conversion to communism. Changsha is now an important commercial, high-tech manufacturing and transportation centre.1
At the conference, the keynote speech was delivered by Madam Sun Chunlan, Vice Premier of the State Council, People’s Republic of China, and Chair of the Council of the Confucius Institute Headquarters. Some of the other distinguished guests were: Mr Chen Baosheng, Minister of Education, People’s Republic of China, Vice Chair of the Council of the Confucius Institute Headquarters; Mr Tian Xuejun, Vice-Minister of Education, People’s Republic of China; and Mr Du Jiahao, Secretary of Hunan Provincial Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Hunan Provincial People’s Congress.
The main theme of the conference was “Development of International Chinese Language Education”. There were several international speakers on the opening day of the conference. Professor Lance Tatum, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Troy University, USA, talked about the development of CI at Troy University and the impact of CI activities on the community. Professor Balan Luminita Rodica, Head of the Chinese Department, University of Bucharest, Romania, spoke about the growing popularity of Chinese language at the University of Bucharest. Mrs Ratsimiseta Onimiaina Andriamamonjy, Local Chinese Language Teacher of CI at University of Antananarivo, recounted her experiences of her first visit to China and the growing passion she developed whilst learning ‘Chinese language and culture’ and now teaching it to university students. In the present economic conjuncture, she believes that the mastery of the language opens doors to many opportunities. Professor Furukawa Yukata, Vice President of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching, Former President of the Japan Association of Chinese Language Education, Japan, spoke about the common thread between the two languages, Chinese and Japanese, and the bond that ties them inseparably together.
There were a number of workshops and Presidents’ forums over the two days of the conference and the workshops covered topics such as ‘Policies of International Chinese Language Education’; ‘Innovative Development of Confucius Institute’; ‘Chinese Language Teachers’; and ‘Chinese Language Education Resources’; ‘Demand-Oriented International Chinese Language Education’; Chinese Language Education Standards and Tests’ and ‘Cooperation between Chinese Language Education Organizations’.
The conference also held a number of exhibitions; the Confucius Institute of Chinese Language Teaching (CLT) Resource Exhibition showcased the achievements of international CLT resources, online platforms and various Chinese language and cultural products showcasing Hunan’s intangible cultural heritage.
On the closing day of the conference, the delegates were invited to the Grand National Symphony Concert at Changsha Concert Hall, entitled “Splendid Xiaoxiang”.
- Wikipedia, Jan 2020.
Madam SUN Chunlan, Vice Premier of the State Council, People’s Republic of China, and Chair of the Council of the Confucius Institute Headquarters, delivering her keynote speech
Grand National Symphony Concert at Changsha Concert Hall, entitled “Splendid Xia