Source: News Center, author/reporter: Liang Yanfei
Tian Xuejun, Vice Minister of Ministry of Education of China awarded plaque of the Confucius Institute (photo by Liang Yanfei)
Lingnan Normal University News Center: At the 2019 International Chinese Language Education Conference held by Hanban in Changsha on the afternoon of December 10, the cooperation agreement on establishment of Belarusian State University of Physical Culture (BSUPC) Confucius Institute was officially signed by Ma Jianfei, Deputy Director of the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) and Durnou Viachaslau, First Deputy Minister of Ministry of Sports and Tourism of Belarus. The ceremony was witnessed by leaders and guests including Tian Xuejun,Vice Minister of Ministry of Education of China, Lan Yanze, President of Lingnan Normal University (LNU) Dai Shu, Vice President of LNU and Klinau Uladzimir, Vice Rector of BSUPC. Tian Xuejun awarded the plaque to Durnou Viachaslau and Lan Yanze. The Confucius Classroom, jointly run by the LNU and BSUPC, was upgraded to Confucius Institute.
“You’ve run the Confucius Classroom well and have made it characteristic.” When shaking hands with Lan Yanze, Tian Xuejun encouraged continued cultural exchanges between China and Belarus to make the Confucius Institute better.
“Although we are far away in distance, our hearts are close to each other.” Durnou Viachaslau appreciated China for proposing the Belt and Road Initiative that connects Belarus and China. He stated that the Confucius Institute is a platform that makes possible his trip to China. He wishes that people from the two countries wll have in-depth cultural exchanges through this platform and more Bielorussians can actively learn Chinese language and culture.
“This ushers in a new chapter in the international cooperative education of LNU.” Lan Yanze noted that upgrading to Confucius Institute from Confucius Classroom was achieved by relentless efforts made by various parties in many years. It will become a key stroke in the critical development period and in the difficult period of applying for master’s degree programs of LNU. Faculties and students of LNU will work harder to make the Confucius Institute better.
According to Song Peng, Chinese Director of the Confucius Classroom, the two universities will build the Confucius Institute featuring sports and tourism on the basis of the Confucius Classroom. The two sides have formulated the development program and three-year action plan. In the coming three years, the Confucius Institute will be upgraded and expanded on the basis of existing teaching venues. In addition to current five teaching bases, it will build three to five new bases, construct a Chinese language training center, expand the specification and quality of the European “Confucius Institute Cup” Chinese Martial Arts Competition, and set up the digital Confucius Institute. Besides, it will implement “Internet plus” functions such as distance education, digital management and information sharing, striving to become an outstanding Confucius Institute of high quality, high standard, distinctive features and distinct brand image.
The ceremony was attended by council members of the Confucius Institute including He Yunpeng, Zheng Zhijun, Zhao Jinzhong and Zhang Xiaoshuang, as well as other related workers.
Agreement signing ceremony (photo by Liang Yanfei)
Vice Minister of Ministry of Education Tian Xuejun talks with President Lan Yanze (photo by Zhang Xiaoshuang)
Group photo (photo by Liang Yanfei)
