HOME > Bilateral Relations > Culture & Education
Speech at the Launch Ceremony of the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam By H.E. Amb. Lu Youqing
2013-10-11 22:24

Oct.9,2013

Hon.Minister Bernard Membe,
Hon.Vice Governor Huang Xuming,
Hon.President Wu Fengmin,
Hon.Vice Chancellor Rwekaza Mukandala
Faculty Staff and Students,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good Morning!

It gives me great pleasure to be at the launch ceremony of the Confucius Institute of the University of Dar es Salaam. On behalf of Chinese Embassy, I would like to extend my warm welcome to the guests and students, and my sincere thanks to Tanzania Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Tanzania Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Chinese Confucius Institute Headquarters, Zhejiang Normal University, the University of Dar es Salaam and other concerned institutions for their strong support to the formation of this Confucius Institute.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

China and Tanzania are all-weather friends. The brotherly bilateral friendly relations have withstood the changes of international situation and grown closer than ever. Under the guidance of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and its Action Plans, the friendly cooperation between China and Tanzania has made big strides forward, and written down a new chapter of brilliance, with the further enhanced bilateral partnership featuring political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win and cultural exchanges.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the invitation of President Jakaya Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to Tanzania this March, and the two leaders jointly laid down the strategic goals and guideline for the cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. From then on, the bilateral cooperation in the field of education has been set on a fast track. This year Chinese government has increased the Chinese government scholarships from 100 each year to 120 each year. By the end of September of 2013, around 1000 Tanzanian students have been granted Chinese government scholarships to study in China, and 2200 Tanzania professionals have attended seminars of various spheres with the financial support from Chinese government. Tanzanian government has also increased Tanzania government scholarships from 5 each year to 10 each year. By the end of September of this year, Tanzania government has granted 50 scholarships to Chinese students to study in Tanzania, and Tanzania Commission for Universities and Tanzania universities this year have sent several delegations to China for practical cooperation. In May of this year, the first Confucius Institute in Tanzania was established in Dodoma between Zhengzhou Institute of Aeronautical Industry Management and the University of Dodoma. In this July, Chinese Embassy and the University of Dar es Salaam successfully hosted the International Seminar "Chinese Dream, African Dream: Achieving Common Development through Common Efforts". And now, I am here to witness the launch of the second Confucius Institute in Tanzania - the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Higher education institutions are important places to cultivate youth talents as well as disseminate cultures. Zhejiang Normal University is an important base for African study in China, a training base for African professionals in China and the Research Centre for the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation. The University of Dar es Salaam, well-known in Africa and even in the world and as the cradle for African Liberation Movement, has cultivated a galaxy of outstanding talents for the independence, liberation and the economic and societal development of African countries. It is one of the 20 African universities selected for the "20+20" Cooperation Plan for Chinese and African Institutions of Higher Education for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and also a university admitting most of the Chinese students coming to study in Tanzania. I believe, with the common efforts by both sides, the Confucius Institute established between the two universities will surely act as another window for Tanzanian people, especially the youth, to understand and study Chinese culture, act as an important platform to promote the bilateral cultural exchange, thus pushing the bilateral friendly cooperation to a higher level.

Finally, I wish the launching a complete success!

Thank you!

Suggset To Friend:   
Print