The official launch of NanjingTech-UJ Confucius Institute, the fifth Confucius Institute in Africa, was held in the University of Johannesburg on 28 January. Delegates at the CI launch included Prof. Huang Wei, President of Nanjing Tech University; Prof Ihron Rensburg, UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Madame Ren Xiaoxia, Deputy Consul General of the People's Republic of China; Mr. Song Bo, Education Counsellor of People's Republic of China Embassy and Directors and Co-Directors from other South African Confucius Institutes.
President Huang Wei said in his address that it is a day to commemorate and celebrate for both Nanjing Tech University and the University of Johannesburg. The official launch of NanjingTech-UJ Confucius Institute is a significant event in the history of our collaboration which will greatly expedite the development of our Confucius Institute. The enthusiasm of learning Chinese is on the rise throughout the world. The Ministry of Basic Education of South Africa has recently announced that the students in preliminary and middle schools can select Chinese as their second foreign language since 2016. This is a good opportunity for the development of Confucius Institutes in South Africa. NanjingTech will endeavor to deepen the exchanges and collaboration between two universities in culture, education and science, offer various and plentiful Chinese courses and cultural activities to people from all walks of life in South Africa and make more South African people acquainted with China through learning Chinese and fond of China through cultural experience.
President Huang Wei pointed out that Africa is an important polarity in the international politics, a new polarity of world economic drive and an indispensable polarity of human civilization. As one of the most influential countries in Africa, South Africa is a one of "BRICs" countries, which are classified as emerging markets with the greatest economic vitality. China and South Africa have established comprehensive strategic partnership in recent years with increasingly intensified mutual political trust, strengthened economic ties and continuous cultural and educational exchanges. In 2015, the "Year of China" in South Africa, both countries have hosted various exchange activities which mark a new chapter in our collaboration. Last December, the Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to South Africa and attended the China-Africa Cooperation Forum Johannesburg Summit which had also provide renewed impetus to the friendly cooperation between China and South Africa.
He believed that NanjingTech-UJ Confucius Institute will play a significant role in promoting the teaching of Chinese in South Africa, expediting the exchange and collaboration of both countries in economy, education and culture and enhancing the understanding and friendship between two peoples. NanjingTech would like to move forward, hand in hand with University of Johannesburg for a brighter future and contribute together to the friendship and collaboration between two countries.
Madame Xu Lin, Director-General (Vice Minister) of Chinese Hanban and Chief Executive of Confucius Institute Headquarters said in her congratulatory telegram that China and South Africa are both BRICs countries. The comprehensive strategic partnership of "Comrade and Brother" between two countries was further strengthened by President Xi Jinping's state visit to South Africa last December. She believed that the NanjingTech-UJ CI would become an important platform for local people to learn Chinese and understand more about China and contribute to the friendship between peoples of both countries.
Prof. Ihron Rensburg, UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal said in his address that over the past four years, China has become South Africa's most significant trading partner in terms of both exports and imports. "Equally, the strategic partnership has reflected efforts to strengthen South-South relations between China, the world's largest developing nation, and Africa which has the highest concentration of developing nations." He pointed out that it is sensible to strengthen collaboration with China not only in economy but also in culture and it is essential to learn Chinese and understand Chinese culture in this sense. UJ would work closely with NanjingTech to develop the CI into a cultural bridge between two countries.
Madame Ren Xiaoxia, Deputy Consul General of the People's Republic of China and Mr. Song Bo, Education Counsellor of People's Republic of China Embassy also delivered speeches respectively at the official launch and expressed their good wishes for the development of NanjingTech-UJ Confucius Institute.
