Nowadays, economic globalization and cultural diversity are developing deeply. Exchanges and mutual learning among different cultures and further understanding among people in different countries act as great impetus for civilization development and social progress. Confucius Institute takes it as its mission to teach Chinese language and introduce Chinese culture. Taking into account the actual conditions and needs of different countries, Confucius Institute plays an important role in promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and foreign countries and in strengthening understanding and friendship among Chinese and people of other countries.
Located in Hangzhou, capital city of Zhejiang Province, China Jiliang University (CJLU) is the only university in the world that featuring metrology, standards, quality, inspection and quarantine. Actively carrying out what’s stipulated in Action Plan on Belt and Road Standard Connectivity (2018-20), CJLU launched the establishment of The Belt and Road University Alliance for Standardization Education and Academics. In order to give full play to CJLU features and advantages, and serve The Belt and Road Initiative construction, CJLU and University of Finance and Administration (VSFS) proposed to co-establish Confucius Institute in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, which won strong support from the Czech President, and from the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, Hanban, Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic, Czech Embassy in China and Education Department of Zhejiang Province.
On November 5, 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed again to have more people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the Czech Republic when meeting with Czech President Zeman in Shanghai. The co-establishment of Confucius Institute by CJLU and VSFS responds to the strategic guidance and great care of President Xi and President Zeman, and implements the consensus reached by the two heads of state.
On the morning of November 6, 2018, Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban), University of Finance and Administration (VSFS), and China Jiliang University (CJLU) jointly signed in Shanghai a cooperation agreement on establishing Confucius Institute at VSFS. Czech President Zeman witnessed the signing ceremony of the tripartite agreement.
On November 21, 2018, Sun Chunlan, Chinese Vice Premier of the State Council attended the Unveiling Ceremony of Confucius Institute at VSFS in Prague. The nameplate of Confucius Institute was jointly unveiled by Sun Chunlan, Chinese Vice Premier of the State Council, Chen Baosheng, Minister of Education of the People's Republic of China, Vratislav Mynar, Chancellor of Office of the President of the Czech Republic, Pavel Dolecek, Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic. Vice Premier Sun Chunlan expects the Confucius Institute to be established with high standards at a high starting point, and built into a high-level Confucius Institute with distinct features, so as to contribute to deepening mutual understanding and friendship between China and Central and Eastern European countries including the Czech Republic, strengthen communication and coordination in cooperation of regional alliance of education and Confucius Institute, and jointly explore a third-party cooperation platform to serve The Belt and Road Initiative construction.
As the first Confucius Institute in capital of the Czech Republic, Confucius Institute at VSFS is of great exemplary significance. The CJLU characteristic discipline of standardization will be incorporated in the establishment of the Confucius Institute, making it a Confucius Institute featuring "Standardization + Finance". To improve quality and efficiency of Confucius Institutes, a standardized management and evaluation system of Confucius Institute will be explored during the process of establishment and operation. Courses such as Standardization Basis, Financial Chinese, Chinese for International Trade, and Quality Management will be jointly offered so as to cultivate professional talents proficient in Chinese and able to develop quality standards and deal with international trade. The two universities establishing Confucius Institute with the feature of "Standardization + Finance" through standardization cooperation will become another vivid practice of Belt and Road Standard Connectivity.
Group photo of leaders from Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban), CJLU and VSFS in Prague
