Confucius Institute Plate presentation in Beijing

By Sunny Chen

On the 9th of November, 2007, at the University of Sydney Beijing Dinner at the Beijing Hotel, Ms Xu Lin, the Chief Executive of the Confucius Institute headquarters and the Director General of the Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban) acknowledged the establishment of the University of Sydney Confucius Institute by presenting the Confucius Institute plate to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gavin Brown AO FAA CorrFRSE.

The prestigious dinner was attended by a high-profile University of Sydney delegation, senior Chinese government officials, education representatives, business and industry representatives and outstanding alumni. The University of Sydney delegation present included the Chancellor, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO , the Vice Chancellor Professor Gavin Brown, , the Deputy Vice Chancellor (International) Professor John Hearn, Deans of Faculties and other senior members of the University.

After she had presented the Confucius Institute plate, Ms Xu Lin, described progress that has been made in opening new Confucius Institutes around the world. Hanban is committed to making adequate teaching resources available to the world to meet the demands of overseas Chinese learners as well as contributing to greater understanding of cultural diversity. Ms Xu Lin emphasised that Hanban is attaching great importance to the Confucius Institute at the University of Sydney and would provide support to ensure it will be a world class institute.

Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, in presenting the official gift to Ms Xu Lin, remarked that she was delighted that a Confucius Institute has been established at the University of Sydney.

During the dinner, Mr Zhu Shanlu, head of the Beijing Municipal Committee of CPC, in his welcoming address, expressed his support for closer interaction between the Australian government and Chinese government and the business community and noted that Australia will need greater numbers of people who can speak Chinese. He also supported the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of Sydney as it will provide the people in Sydney, New South Wales and Australia, a window of opportunity to learn more about China and act as a bridge to strengthen the relationship between Australia and China.