From November 15 to 17, the 2024 World Chinese Conference, organized by the Ministry of Education, was held in Beijing under the theme “Connectivity and Integration, Inheritance and Innovation.” The event was attended by over 2,000 government officials, school principals, experts, scholars, teachers, students, and ambassadors from more than 160 countries and regions worldwide. Vice-President Han Zheng attended the opening ceremony, where he read a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping and delivered a speech. In his letter, President Xi Jinping celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Confucius Institute, acknowledged the significant role of international Chinese education in fostering cultural exchange, mutual trust, and mutual learning, and expressed high expectations for the World Chinese Conference. Wang Changping was invited to attend the conference on behalf of Fujian Normal University (FNU), accompanied by relevant staff from the College of International Education.
During the conference, FNU held the 14th Board of Directors Meeting of the Confucius Institutes with the University of Al Azhar Indonesia and Angeles University Foundation. Wang Changping, Asep Saefuddin, president of Al Azhar University, and Joseph E.L. Angeles, president of Angeles University Foundation, as well as the deans of the Confucius Institute and other board members, attended the meetings. Relevant staffs from the College of International Education were also present. Wang Changping, as the Chinese Chairman of the Confucius Institute, delivered speeches on behalf of the university at both board meetings.
At the Board Meeting of the Confucius Institute at the University of Al Azhar Indonesia, Wang Changping highlighted the institute’s strategic role in Indonesia’s political, economic, and cultural center, serving as a vital bridge for educational and cultural exchanges between China and Indonesia. He expressed hope that both universities would continue to deepen their cooperation through the development of the Confucius Institute, cultivating more participants, beneficiaries, and supporters for China-Indonesia friendship.
At the Board Meeting of the Confucius Institute at Angeles University Foundation in the Philippines, Wang Changping congratulated Joseph E.L. Angeles on being recognized by the Chinese International Education Foundation during the “Light of Confucius Institutes” special appreciation event, marking the 20th anniversary of the Confucius Institute. He praised the institute's progress in various areas, contributing to the strengthening of friendly relations between China and the Philippines and maintaining regional peace and stability. He expressed hope that the two universities would continue to collaborate, build, and share platforms for language and cultural education exchanges, playing a significant role in promoting cultural exchanges, mutual understanding, and people-to-people communication between China and the Philippines.
According to the agenda, the board reviewed, deliberated, and approved the 2024 work summaries and financial reports, as well as the 2025 work plans and financial budgets of the two Confucius Institutes. The time and location for the next board meeting were also determined.
During the World Chinese Conference, the prestigious “Gold Medal” project selection for digital and intelligent Chinese language teaching, jointly organized by the Global Chinese Language Alliance, the Smart Education Sub-committee of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching, and Wuzhou Hanfeng Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., along with global partners, was grandly announced at the National Convention Center. FNU was honored as a “Gold Medal Partner Institution for Digital and Intelligent Chinese Language Teaching” by the Chinese Language Alliance.
（Translated by Yang Yiting, Reviewed by Yang Li）