The 2019 International Chinese Language Education Conference, co-sponsored by the State Ministry of Education and the Hunan Provincial People's Government, opened in Changsha on Dec 9, according to the organizers.

Sun Chunlan, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice-premier of the State Council, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. 

With its theme "Innovation and Development of International Chinese Language Education in the New Era", the conference gathered more than 1,000 Chinese and foreign representatives from more than 160 countries. 

They discussed a series of topics including international Chinese education policies, teaching materials and methods, developing brands and deepening Sino-foreign cooperation. 

Yun Guohong, president of Inner Mongolia Normal University, was invited to the event as the Chinese representative of the INMU’s Confucius Institute, along with a delegation of teachers led by him. 

IMNU officials said he had active exchanges of ideas with the participants and held an in-depth conversation with the presidents of Mongolian National University, and the Mongolian State University of Education. 

A special seminar, an education resource exhibition and 32 workshops were also held during the conference. 

Sun Chunlan emphasized in his keynote speech that the Chinese government has taken international Chinese language education as a priority in its promotion of Chinese culture across the globe. 

He urged higher education institutes to strengthen their teaching resources and provide support for people of all countries in learning Chinese. 

Sun added that universities, companies and social organizations -- both at home and abroad -- were encouraged to carry out international exchanges and cooperation. He also urged them to build a more open, inclusive and standardized modern international Chinese language education system. 

Officials said that there are currently 550 Confucius Institutes and 1,172 Confucius Classrooms in 162 countries and regions. 

IMNU officials said the conference will play a significant role in guiding the IMNU to expand the curriculum system of its Confucius Institutes and highlight the characteristics of the Confucius Institute program.

The 2019 International Chinese Language Education Conference, co-sponsored by the State Ministry of Education and the Hunan Provincial People's Government, opens in Changsha on Dec 9. [Photo/IMNU]

A delegation led by Yun Guohong (4th from left), president of IMNU, attends the event. [Photo/IMNU]