George Washington University President Pays Visit to Confucius Institute

On October 30th, The George Washington University President, Thomas LeBlanc visited the Confucius Institute to meet with Minister-Councilor of the Education Office of the Chinese Embassy Cen Jianjun and Nanjing University Vice-Chancellor Zhu Qingbao.

Dr. LeBlanc only recently took office at GW in August of this year, and his visit today marks his first time at the Confucius Institute.

During the meeting, Dr. LeBlanc mentioned that GW is very focused on the relationship with Nanjing University and the Education Office of the Embassy of China. As the new president, he will continue to promote the bilateral relations and exchanges with these two parties. President LeBlanc brought up the number of students from China that have come to GW to study a variety of majors and schools, which has helped strengthen GW’s diversity. LeBlanc hopes that more Chinese students will choose GW as their institute of study, and at the same time wishes to encourage more GW students to study abroad in China. Lastly, President LeBlanc expressed the importance of the Confucius Institute as a platform for cultural exchange and Chinese language study in the Greater DC community, including GW students, working professionals as well as the Chinese population in DC. LeBlanc hopes to use this as a basis for promoting GW, Hanban and Nanjing University’s relationship.

On October 30th, The George Washington University President, Thomas LeBlanc visiting the Confucius Institute to meet with Minister-Councilor of the Education Office of the Chinese Embassy Cen Jianjun and Nanjing University Vice-Chancellor Zhu Qingdao.

Minister Councilor Cen JianJun represented China during the meeting. He expressed that Washington D.C. has become a popular destination for Chinese students to study in America, and because of this, universities in DC carry such great importance. He invited President LeBlanc to visit China, and specifically Nanjing University, in the coming year.

After the discussion came to a close, the group took a brief tour of the GW Confucius Institute, examining the classrooms, decorations, and equipment that the Institute uses for its language study and cultural programming. President LeBlanc took particular interest in some of the Chinese calligraphy and text displayed in the institute, bringing back memories of his personal trips to China in the past.

The group taking a brief tour of the GW Confucius Institute.

Lastly, LeBlanc, Cen and Zhu briefly me with Dr. Liliane Willens, who had donated several valuable antique Chinese furniture from the early 20th century. That furniture has found its new home in the basement level of the Confucius Institute.

President LeBlanc taking particular interest in a Chinese calligraphy and took a picture with Embassy of China Education Office’s Minister-Councilor CEN Jianjun.