JUFE Participated in the World Chinese Language Conference

From December 7th to 9th, the World Chinese Language Conference was held at the Beijing National Convention Center. Ding Xuexiang, standing committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended and delivered a keynote speech. The 2023 World Chinese Language Conference was themed Chinese Language Serving the World, Openness Leading the Future, with approximately 2,000 participants including Chinese and foreign experts, government officials, representatives from international organizations, and heads of international language and cultural institutions. The plenary session was chaired by Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng, and more than 2,000 representatives from global international Chinese education institutions participated in the main forum and various sub-forums. JUFE's Vice President, Liu Xiaoli, led a delegation to attend.

At the plenary session on December 9th, Ding Xuexiang pointed out that Chinese is not only the language of China but also a global language. Advancing international Chinese education and global language exchange cooperation under new circumstances requires joint efforts from the people of China and all countries in the world. It is necessary to establish an open and inclusive international Chinese education framework, work together with all parties to effectively manage Confucius Institutes and other Chinese language projects, vigorously develop information-based, digital, and intelligent Chinese education, support the training of local teachers and the development of local teaching materials, and carry out localized Chinese language teaching in various countries. We should better utilize the social functions of the Chinese language, continuously enhance the social application value of Chinese, support and encourage more international organizations to adopt Chinese as an official language, welcome the use of Chinese in more international occasions, and actively serve the economic and social development of all countries. We should deepen cooperation in language exchange between China and other countries, combine bringing in and going out, strengthen two-way exchanges between Chinese and languages of various countries, support young people from all countries to come to China to experience Chinese culture, showcase their own cultures, and promote mutual friendship and spiritual communication. It is important to promote mutual learning and mutual understanding among civilizations, uphold openness and inclusiveness, strengthen adherence to tradition and innovation, and jointly promote the flourishing and development of diverse civilizations worldwide.

The World Chinese Language Conference included specialized forums, parallel forums, main forums, and plenary sessions. The specialized forums covered four main themes: the First World Young Sinologists Forum, the Mediterranean Language and Culture Forum, a seminar on the construction of professional degree programs and talent cultivation in international Chinese education, and a meeting on international Chinese education proficiency exam centers. The parallel forums mainly focused on nine themes: the future development of Confucius Institutes, language education and mutual learning among civilizations, the digital and intelligent transformation of language education, the integration of Chinese language with vocational skills development, language education promoting international cooperation and student exchange in universities, foreign language policies and Chinese language learning needs in various countries, the cultivation of high-level local teachers to meet overseas demands, the role of Chinese exams in promoting international trade in services, and the academic and disciplinary systems of international Chinese education.

JUFE’s vice president, Liu Xiaoli, along with the Vice President of Coventry University (China Collaboration) and Director of the Confucius Institute in the UK, Xu Jingjing, the current co-Director of the Confucius Institute, Xiao Long, and the Director of the International Cultural Exchange Center, Yang Yong, participated in the main forum and some parallel forums. They joined domestic and international  universities and colleagues to explore the national mission and international opportunities of international Chinese education, the practical difficulties and development strategies of Confucius Institute operations, and other related issues.

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