Joint Conference of Some Confucius Institutes in Europe Held in Denmark

On May 16th, the 2017 Joint Conference of some Confucius Institutes in Europe was held in Denmark's capital Copenhagen. Over 60 Chinese and foreign directors of 33 Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms from 14 European countries as well as representatives from Hanban attended the conference. The conference was organized by the Confucius Institute at Royal Danish Academy of Music and the Copenhagen Business Confucius Institute.

Liu Biwei, Chinese Ambassador to Denmark, Bertel Haarder, former Danish Minister for Culture and Church, Bertel Krarup, President of Royal Danish Academy of Music (RDAM) and Jing Wei, Executive Deputy Director-General of Hanban and Deputy Chief Executive of the Confucius Institute Headquarters attended the opening ceremony.

Liu Biwei said in his speech that, language is a tool for people to communicate with each other. With China's rapid development; Confucius Institutes have created a school-running model featuring equality, cooperation, mutual benefits and win-win results. It conforms to "Chinese fever" worldwide and acts as a bridge to connect Chinese language and civilization with those of foreign countries and promote mutual understanding and friendship.

Bertel Haarder said that the Confucius Institutes is an excellent platform for exchanges of ideas, experience and knowledge between China and Europe. A better understanding of each other's culture and an open attitude will prosper China and Europe.

Bertel Krarup expressed that cooperation between RDAM and China Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) enables Denmark to learn more about Chinese music and musicians. On the other hand, the Confucius Institute has played an indispensable part in RDAM's efforts in expanding its influence and promoting China's traditional and modern music.

Jing Wei, Executive Deputy Director-General of Hanban delivering a speech

Jing Wei pointed out that, Confucius Institutes in Europe have been developing with its characteristics and brands, and have achieved encouraging results. She introduced that in China-Denmark Joint Work Program (2017-2020) signed this May, China has proposed to support Chinese language education in Danish higher education institutions and to offer necessary support for the establishment of new Confucius Institutes at Danish universities. China will enhance cooperation between Music Confucius Institute and Denmark in the framework of strategic partnership, and support Minister of Education of Denmark in promoting Chinese language teaching in Danish elementary and secondary schools. She hoped that the representatives could have in-depth discussion, share and pool resources on solving common problems and seeking more effective approach to cultivating local Chinese language teachers and evaluating teaching results.

A group photo

The Chinese and foreign directors discussed on topics such as improving Chinese language teaching system and teachers' training in Europe, promoting regional cooperation and resources sharing among the institutes, running the institutes with local features and solving existing problems and difficulties faced by Confucius Institutes in Europe.