4 Dec - 5 Dec, 6 delegates of Nottingham Confucius Institute participated in the 13th Confucius Institute Conference. The conference was held in Chengdu attracting over 1500 delegates from 154 countries.

Themed in Facilitating the New Development Through Reform and Innovation Forging a Brighter Future with Concerted Efforts, the conference contained two forums, 8 presidents’ forums and 20 workshops covering the topics of Innovation in Education Model and Operation Mechanism of Confucius Institutes, The ‘Chinese+’ Individualized Development Strategies, Construction of the Digital Confucius Institute and so on.

Mr Chen Baosheng, Minister of Education and Vice President of Confucius Institute Headquarters Council, hosted the opening ceremony. Ms Sun Chunlan, Vice Premier of the State Council, President of Confucius Institute Headquarters Council, delivered welcome speech and awarded 10 new Confucius Institutes in 9 countries.

Ms Sun Chunlan emphasized that the Chinese government encouraged and would keep encouraging the cross-cultural communication between China and the world, meanwhile facilitating China and partners to jointly develop the Confucius Institutes. Language played important role in increasing mutual understanding, reaching agreements, promoting cooperation, and deepening friendship. Language is also the key to build the community of shared future for mankind, and accelerate the prosperity of all.

Delegates of Nottingham Confucius Institute participated the Fudan Joint Meeting together with delegates from Fudan University and CIs in Sydney, Auckland, Edinburg, Frankford, Hamburg, and Luxembourg. Delegates discussed on The Confucius Institutes and China Studies/Distinctive Development of Confucius Institutes.

During the conference, Jason Feehily, Director of Nottingham Confucius Institute and Mr Yang Jincheng, Director of European Confucius Institute co-hosted the workshop on How to give full play to the board of individual Confucius Institute. China Directors, Foreign Directors and experts from different CIs joined the workshop.

The conference successfully closed on 5 Dec. Mr Tian Xuejun, Deputy Minister of Education delivered closing speech and he demonstrated his hope that China and the world would jointly contribute their wisdom and strength to promote international communications, build the community for shared future of mankind, and create a bright future for human beings.