The Opening Ceremony of Groningen Confucius Institute Training and Testing Center in the Hague

Published on 22.12.2016

On December 21，2016, Groningen Confucius Institute (GCI) Training and Testing Center in The Hague, the vey first mandarin (Putonghua) training and testing center in Europe, was jointly opened by Mr. Xishuang Yao, Director General of the Education Ministry's Department of Language Planning and Administration, Counselor Qingyu Meng, Mr. Zhi Wang, Assistant President of Communication University of China (CUC), Mrs. Jingchao Lu, Dean of the School of Presentation Art of CUC. The center was co-established by Groningen Confucius Institute and School of Presentation Art of CUC that were entrusted by State Language Commission of China.

The unveiling ceremony (from left to right: Shuhua Xu, Xuefei Knoester-Cao, Zhi Wang, Qingyu Meng, Wenjia Xu, Xishuang Yao, Jingchao Yao, Hongyan Li, Jingyi Liu)

Renowned experts in the areas of mandarin pronunciation and articulation and mandarin education were invited to give speeches and on-the-spot guidance for around 40 Chinese teachers and Chinese learners present in the ceremony. The ceremony was a great success, receiving wide recognition and positive comments from all the attendees.

The audience

The ceremony was started and hosted by Mrs. Jingyi Liu, Director of Groningen Confucius Institute. In her welcoming speech, she explained the reasons behind the center's establishment: firstly it caters for the need of mandarin learners and teachers who are in pursuit of speaking standard mandarin; secondly it is in accordance with the new worldwide trend of Chinese education; and thirdly it provides a great platform and opportunities for Chinese learners and teachers to prove and improve their Chinese proficiency.

Jingyi Liu, Director of GCI, was giving a speech

Education Counselor Qingyu Meng from Chinese Embassy to the Netherlands congratulated on the establishment of GCI training and testing center and pointed out that language is not only the tool for communication, but also a distinct symbol of a nation and culture. He said that since Putonghua proficiency test is the most important language test, the set up of this center is beneficial for both native speakers of mandarin and foreign advanced learners of Chinese. He hoped that this type of center could make its presence in more European countries in the future.

Education counselor Qingyu Meng was giving a speech

Mr. Xishuang Yao delivered a keynote speech titled ‘The Goals and Tasks of China Language Course the 13th Five-year Plan'. He commented that the establishment of GCI training and testing center is of great significance to the international development of Chinese language and culture communication, which is one of main goals of "the 13th Five-year Plan". Besides, he interpreted that the location of the first Putonghua training and testing center in Europe is in the Netherlands, the finishing point of Maritime Silk Road, suggesting that language shall serve ‘One Belt, One Road' Initiative. He emphasized that this center's establishment is of strong leading effect, reflecting the innovative model of cooperation between Confucius institutes and universities in China and oversea countries. The professionalism of this center can be seen from the cooperative relationship with CUC, a top one university in media study and communication.

Xishuang Yao, Director General of the Education Ministry's Department of Language Planning and Administration, was giving a speech

Professor Jingchao Lu gave a keynote speech on the topic of ‘The Beauty of Recitation'. She explained the exquisiteness of colloquial expression and emphasized that recitation shall be a piece of work empowered with emotion, dynamics and rhythm; and only based on real feelings can someone fully express his/her own thoughts and can his/her speech strike a responsive cord in the hearts of listeners. Professor Lu also showed the creative usage of grammar and flexible rhythm in oral speech. Her speech, interweaving humor and vivid narration, was appealing and insightful.

Professor Jingchao Lu was giving a speech

Professor Hongyan Li, Deputy Dean of the School of Presentation Art of Communication University of China, and Professor Shuhua Xu, Head of Putonghua Training and Testing Center of Communication University of China gave lectures and on-the-spot guidance related with Putonghua pronunciation and articulation to the participants, receiving lots of compliments.

Professor Hongyan Li was giving a lecture and training

Professor Shuhua Xu was giving a lecture and training

The opening ceremony was closed by Mrs. Xuefei Knoester-Cao, Director of GCI. She shared how much she was inspired and encouraged by the training. She expressed sincere gratitude to all the distinguished experts and participants present.

Director Xuefei Knoester-Cao was giving a closing speech

GCI training and testing center held its first national Putonghua proficiency test on December 22, with participation of around 30 Chinese learners and teachers in the Netherlands. According to the relevant authority, the result will be announced and certificates will be sent within 30 working days after the test.

Putonghua test

More pictures of the opening ceremony