The 2024 World Chinese Language Conference was held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing from Nov 15 to 17.

Themed "Interconnection, Integration, Inheritance, Innovation", the event attracted almost 2,000 participants from more than 160 countries and regions. Attendees included representatives from educational authorities, international organizations, universities and language and culture promotion agencies, as well as experts, scholars, diplomats and business leaders.

Jia Wenjian, deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee and president of the university, speaks at the 2024 World Chinese Language Conference on Nov 16. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

On Nov 16, Jia Wenjian, deputy secretary of the CPC Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) committee and president of the university, gave an address at the thematic seminar commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Confucius Institute.

Jia highlighted the role played by the Confucius Institute as a platform for talent empowerment, cultural exchange and educational collaboration, describing it as a milestone in the development of international Chinese language education and a model for global educational cooperation.

He remarked on BFSU’s commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities in building and developing Confucius Institutes with a more open and inclusive attitude, as well as its determination to contribute to world peace and development and the advance of human civilizations.

On the same day, Jia delivered a keynote speech at the 2024 World Language Education Forum, emphasizing the pivotal role of language education in empowering global competence.

He outlined Chinese universities’ efforts in improving foreign language education quality, stressing interdisciplinary integration, incorporating Chinese cultural heritage and embracing digital transformation in education, and called for greater collaboration to transcend linguistic and cultural barriers and jointly build a more harmonious and prosperous global future.

Liu Xinlu, a member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university, chairs a panel discussion of the 2024 China-GCC Language and Culture Forum on Nov 16. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Liu Xinlu, a member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university, chaired a panel discussion of the 2024 China-GCC Language and Culture Forum. He spoke on the wide recognition and support for China’s proposals on promoting mutual learning among world civilizations, particularly from Arab and Gulf countries.

The 2024 World Chinese Language Conference presents certificates of HSK Model Test Center and 2024 Excellent HSK&CTC Test Center. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

BFSU’s Confucius Institute network received numerous accolades at the conference. The Confucius Institute in Barcelona and the Confucius Institute Munich were recognized as 2024 Excellent HSK&CTC Test Centers, while the Confucius Institutes at Moscow State Linguistic University and Eötvös Loránd University were made HSK Model Test Centers.

BFSU students participate in a choral performance during the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Chinese Language Conference. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]