On May 23rd, the Second Forum of Directors of the Confucius Institutes in Spain was held at the University of Valencia. The opening ceremony featured speeches by Zhang Junli, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese International Education Foundation (CIEF); Yu Yunfeng, Director-General of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) of the Ministry of Education; José Antonio Calañas, Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Translation and Communication at the University of Valencia; and Xu Haiyang, President of Northeast Normal University. Chinese and local directors from 9 Confucius Institutes and 1 Confucius Classroom in Spain attended the Forum.
Zhang Junli pointed out that through close cooperation between Chinese and Spanish partners, the CIs and CCs in Spain have effectively carried out language education and organized various cultural activities. By leveraging their respective strengths and adhering to the development with unique characteristics, they have gradually become important platforms for local people to learn Chinese and understand China. Zhang Junli stated that the CIEF, as the brand manager of the CI, will step up efforts in the planning of brand development, gather resources and wisdom extensively, and provide more services and support for the high-quality and sustainable development of CIs worldwide, including those in Spain. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the CI brand, and the CIEF will continue to work with CIs and their Chinese and local hosts across the globe to maintain the leading role of the CI in the field of international Chinese language education.
Yu Yunfeng noted that Chinese and Spanish are the two most widely spoken native languages in the world. Strengthening educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries is of great importance for the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries. The CLEC, as a professional institution that provides service and support to various countries for implementing Chinese language education, will continue to offer comprehensive support to Chinese language education institutions and programs worldwide, including the Confucius Institutes. Yu Yunfeng also discussed the future development of the international Chinese language education and Confucius Institutes with the participants.
On behalf of the University of Valencia , José Antonio Calañas extended his warm congratulations to the Forum. He stated that the Confucius Institute at the University of Valencia plays a positive role in meeting the needs of the university and local community to learn Chinese and understand Chinese culture, in fostering the sister city relationships between Valencia and several cities in China, and also in promoting friendly cooperation in various fields. Xu Haiyang stated that Northeast Normal University will continue to cooperate with the University of Valencia to promote the high-quality development of the CI and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
All participants agreed that the CIs, rooted in local communities and serving the local needs, have played a significant role in various fields, such as promoting Chinese language education and cultural exchanges between China and Spain. Looking into the future, they expressed their confidence in the development of the CIs, and stated that in the current era of rapid advancement in digital technology, the CIs in Spain will strengthen multi-party collaboration, promote resource sharing, adhere to the development with unique characteristics, and inject new vitality into the CI for the 20 years to come.
