 On April 9th, the Confucius Institute headquarters held an unveiling ceremony in Beijing. State Councilor, leader of Hanban’s leadership team, Chairman of the board of Confucius Institute headquarters, Chen Zhili, unveiled the plaque and delivered an important speech. 
Chen Zhili said that the establishment of Confucius Institute is an important act by the Chinese government to promote language and cultural exchanges between China and other countries, for the future development of a multi-cultural and harmonious world. In recent years, Confucius Institutes around the world have received enthusiastic feedbacks and active support from many countries. Presently, there are over 140 Confucius Institutes established in more than 50 countries and regions in the world. Many Chinese universities and advanced educational institutions have participated in the establishment of these Confucius Institutes. Confucius Institutes in different areas develop according to their strengths and operate according to the specialties of their host universities and areas to form unique educational models. Confucius Institutes have been very well received by the local people and they have become important institutes for people overseas to learn Chinese language, culture and about contemporary China. 
According to the report, with the great support from China and around the world, the Chinese government gave the authorization for the establishment of the Confucius Institute headquarters in Beijing. According tothe Regulations of the Confucius Institute, the Confucius Institute headquarters will be the top administrative organization for Confucius Institutes all over the world, responsible for: stipulating relevant regulations of the Confucius Institute, developing plans and evaluation criteria; authorizing the establishment of all Confucius Institutes; checking and authorizing the annual project implementation plans and budgets for all Confucius Institutes; providing management and teaching staff as well as teaching resources including textbooks for all the Confucius Institutes. The Confucius Institute headquarters will be in charge of coordinating and providing other general services, strengthening the cooperation and communications between all the Confucius Institutes, sincerely serving all Confucius Institutes and giving support and assistance to people learning Chinese language and cultures in other countries.
Minister of Education, Zhou Ji, hosted the unveiling ceremony. People-in-charge from Hanban – the board members for the Confucius Institute headquarters, Beijing municipal government, educational divisions of different provinces and cities, scholars from relevant universities and middle school principals, diplomats to China from more than 60 countries and representatives from overseas Confucius Institutes, altogether 300 people attended the unveiling ceremony.       |