Keynote Speech at the Fourth Confucius Institute Conference

Mutual Collaboration, Continuous Innovation, and Sustainable Development

For the Future of Confucius Institutes around the World

Keynote Speech at the Fourth Confucius Institute Conference

Liu Yandong

State Councilor of the People's Republic of China

Chair, Council of the Confucius Institute Headquarters

(December 11, 2009)

Keynote Speech by Liu Yandong (Watch this video)

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Friends,

Good afternoon!

It is winter now in Beijing. The white snow has already promised us a harvesting year. This prospective season is witnessing the opening of the Fourth Confucius Institute Conference. Confucius Institutes are members of a big family, and today is the occasion for family reunion. On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, I would like to express my warmest welcome, and extend through you my cordial greetings to all the teachers and students of the Confucius Institutes around the world.

The topic of the conference is Confucius Institute and community services. Ways and methods for Confcucius Institutes to serve the communities will be explored and discussed. This will have a significicant influence upon the enrichment of Confucius Institutes and further development of international education of the Chinese language.

The year 2009 is an extraordinary one for the world, and so it is for the Confucius Institutes. With joint efforts from all parties concerned, the Confucius Institutes around the world have overcome all kinds of difficulties and challenges. We have kept learning from the past, continuing innovation, sustaining development, maintaining momentum, and making exciting achievements.

Confucius Institutes grew as planned. Up till now, 282 Confucius Institutes and 272 Confucius Classrooms have been established in 88 countries and regions, with a total enrollment of over 230,000