On 7 Dec., 2014, the 9th Confucius Institute Conference was held in the Xiamen International Conference Centre Hotel. Ms Liu Yandong, the vice premier of the State Council, was in attendance. Representatives from Confucius Institutes in 126 countries also attended the conference.  

    Vice Premier Liu Yandong spoke at the conference.

    In her speech at the opening ceremony, Ms Liu emphasized that the construction of Confucius Institutes was aimed at the future as they would help to make an important contribution to a peaceful, prosperous and harmonious world. She explained that in the past ten years, Confucius Institutes have helped to bridge the gap between people around the world, promoted the mutual understanding of countries with different languages and cultures, and, had established an excellent model of cooperation in international education. Both sides in Confucius Institutes share the ownership, benefits, management and administration resulting in a successful melange of different cultures working and communicating together. Ms Liu emphasized that all countries are members of a global community and no country can be completely independent from the impact of other countries. The benefits of working together intermingle so well that they are inseparable. Therefore, the promotion of cultural communication, mutual learning and understanding has become essential and an irresistible trend. She stressed that Confucius Institutes belong to the world, as well as, to China. In the next ten years, the construction of Confucius Institutes will focus on cooperation, improvement of services and the construction of a win-win model.  

    Xiamen University President Zhu Chongshi spoke at the conference. 

    In his speech, President Zhu Chongshi, explained that the construction of Confucius Institutes was for a great cause. Xiamen University is proud to be a leader in the development of this important cause. Since 2006 when the university established the first Confucius Institute in Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand, Xiamen University has constructed additional 15 Confucius Institutes and 40 Confucius classrooms in 12 countries located in Asia, Europe, Australia, North America and Africa. President Zhu explained that the Confucius Institute was an international exchange which makes it easier for teachers and students to learn the history, traditions and splendor of national cultures in different countries. For the next ten years, President Zhu proudly stated that Xiamen University will continue to cooperate with its partners to make new contributions to multicultural exchange. 

    Vice Premier Liu Yandong unveiled the sign for the Academy of Confucius Institute Directors.　 

    President Zhu Chongshi (on the right) was awarded a prize for the best representative of a Chinese university for his cooperation in the construction of Confucius Institutes.