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The Unveiling Ceremony

The unveiling ceremony for the Confucius Institute at University of Sao Tome and Principe (USTP), Africa, was officially held at the parliament house of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe on July 10. It is the first Confucius Institute in Sao Tome and Principe and it is co-established by USTP and Hubei University.

 Prime Minister Jorge Bom Jesus, Ambassador Wang Wei,President  Xie Hongxing,

and Rector Peregrino Costa unveiled the plaque for the Confucius Institute at USTP together  

Jorge Bom Jesus, Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe, Wang Wei, Chinese Ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe, Xie Hongxing, President of Hubei University and Peregrino Costa, Rector of University of Sao Tome and Principe unveiled the plaque for the Confucius Institute at USTP together. Over 900 people attended the ceremony, including Julieta Izidro Rodrigues, Minister of Education and Higher Education, Maria da Graça Lavres, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Vinicius Xavier de Pina, Minister of Youth and Entrepreneurship, Li Xiangkun, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at USTP, Chinese diplomatic envoys to Sao Tome and Principe, representatives from China-aided projects and Chinese-invested institutions, as well as HUBU and USTP students.

In his congratulatory letter, Ma Jianfei, Deputy Chief Executive of the Confucius Institute Headquarters, said that China and Sao Tome and Principe has developed a comprehensive cooperative partnership and realized mutual benefits since the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries two years ago. He hoped that USTP and Hubei University could cooperate sincerely and work together to build the Confucius Institute as a bridge for educational and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, so as to make more contributions to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Rector Peregrino Costa delivering a speech 

In his speech, Peregrino Costa, Rector of University of Sao Tome and Principe said that Chinese language and culture is extensive and profound. And Chinese language education will bring more chances to the students of Sao Tome and Principe. He believed that with joint efforts from all parties, the Confucius Institute at USTP will have remarkable achievements in cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries. USTP will back up the construction of the Confucius Institute, open its arms to the students and citizens of Sao Tome and Principe, and welcome them to learn Chinese language and culture at the Institute.

President Xie Hongxing delivering a speech 

Xie Hongxing, President of Hubei University extended his congratulations on the establishment of the Confucius Institute. He said that the Confucius Institute at USTP is a great achievement of cultural exchange between China and Sao Tome and Principe. It is an important platform for the two countries to exchange and cooperate with each other in the field of economy, politics, education and culture, and will definitely strengthen the friendship between the two countries and benefit the two peoples. Hubei University will spare no efforts to support the construction of the Confucius Institute, and make contributions to building a high-level distinctive Confucius Institute.

Ambassador Wang Wei delivering a speech

Wang Wei, Chinese Ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe said in his speech that, the Confucius Institute at USTP has become a new bridge for enhancing mutual understanding. He also noted that with joint efforts of the two universities, this Confucius Institute can make positive contributions to strengthening bilateral friendship and promoting exchanges and cooperation in every field. Moreover, it will serve as a propeller for China and Africa to build a closer community of shared future for mankind, so as to realize common prosperity and development.

Prime Minister Jorge Bom Jesus delivering a speech 

In his speech, Jorge Bom Jesus, Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe said the launch of the Confucius Institute at the University of Sao Tome and Principe is an important symbol of the friendly and cooperative relations between Sao Tome and Principe and China, which is conducive to the friendship between the two peoples. He hoped to take this opportunity to deepen friendly cooperation between the two countries. He also said that in the context of globalization, economic and social development and cultural and educational exchanges complement each other, and the young people in Sao Tome and Principe show great interest in China’s development and Chinese language. Confucius Institutes play a major role in the dissemination of Chinese language and culture, as Chinese language is the key to acquaint Chinese culture. Learning Chinese helps to know China and enhance mutual understanding between the two countries.

Dragon and Lion Dances from HUBU

At the unveiling ceremony, teachers and students of Hubei University and the Confucius Institute of Sao Tome University jointly presented wonderful performances, including dragon and lion dances, Chinese calligraphy shows, martial arts, folk songs and dances, etc. The audiences enjoyed the shows and gave a big round of applause to the performers.

Group photo

Prime Minister Jorge Bom Jesus visited Xie Hongxing and his group

Xie Hongxing and his group visted Ambassador Wangwei

On the evening of July 9, local time, Xie Hongxing and his group visited Wang Wei, Chinese Ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe. Xie Hongxing made a brief introduction and extended his gratitude to Wang Wei for supporting the establishment of the Confucius Institute at USTP. Wang Wei welcomed the group of Hubei University and said that the establishment of Confucius Institute at USTP is important to the exchange and cooperation between China and Sao Tome and Principe as more and more people are getting interested in learning Chinese language. He hoped that Hubei University would organize more cultural and educational exchange activities, and extended his best wishes to the Confucius Institute at USTP.

Xie Hongxing and his group visited USTP

On the morning of July 10, local time, Xie Hongxing and his group arrived at USTP and had conversations with Peregrino Costa, Rector of USTP. Xie Hongxing congratulated Peregrino Costa on his inauguration and invited him to visit Hubei University in due course. They had discussions and agreed on strengthen further cooperation in the construction of Confucius Institute, personnel training and academic exchanges etc.

Hubei University has put great efforts on international cooperation and exchanges. It has co-established three Confucius Institutes with the University of Memphis in the USA, Sao Paulo State University in Brazil, University of Sao Tome and Principe in Africa respectively, and one Confucius Classroom with Jagiellonian College in Poland, which are devoted in Chinese Language education and Chinese cultural exchanges, and has won ‘Confucius Institute of the Year’ several times.

(Part of the pictures come from Xinhua News Agency)