From July 3rd to 27th, the 5th Overseas Confucius Institutes’ Chinese Culture Summer Camp of China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) was successfully held in Beijing and Suzhou. 86 teachers and students from four Confucius Institutes co-operated by CUPL in the UK, Romania, Barbados and Norway participated in the summer camp activities.
(Group Photo of the Opening Ceremony)
In the morning of July 16, the opening ceremony of the CUPL Summer Camp was held at the Haidian Campus of CUPL. Prof. Ma Huaide, Vice-President of CUPL, Wang Liyan, Deputy Director of the Organization Office of CUPL, Wu Ping, Director of HR Office, Xu Lan, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, together with the Chinese Co-Directors of the CI at Bangor University (the CI at Bangor), the CI at University of Bucharest (the CI at Bucharest), and the CI at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill (the CI at UWI), Head of Chinese Teaching in the CI at University of Bergen (the CI at UIB), as well as students from the four CIs attended the opening ceremony. Prof. Ma Huaide gave a welcome speech on behalf of CUPL. He stated that the Confucius Institute was an important part of CUPL’s internationalization initiative; therefore, CUPL attached great importance to the development of the Confucius Institutes. The development of the three CIs at Bangor, Bucharest and UWI Cave Hill was recognized by all, and the future of the CI at UIB was also full of promise. Prof. Ma hoped that all students would take advantage of this opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of the Chinese language and culture. He also expected that everyone would benefit a lot. After the opening ceremony, also at the Xueyuan Lu Campus of CUPL, the three Chinese Co-Directors reported on the work of their respective Confucius Institute as well as its future development plan. On behalf of CUPL, Prof. Ma expressed his recognition of the work done by the Chinese Co-Directors in the past year. He also expressed his gratitude for their hard work as well as his expectations for the work plan for next year.
In Beijing, students from the four CIs studied the Chinese language, tea ceremony, martial arts and other courses. They visited the Confucius Institute Headquarters / Hanban, Qianfeng School, Beijing Royal School, Tuanjiehu Community, as well as some historical sites and cultural attractions such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, Qianmen, and the National Museum. In addition, students from the CI at UWI also visited the Barbadian Embassy in China and exchanged their ideas with Francois Jackman, Barbadian Ambassador to China, and Antonia Hugh, Jamaican Ambassador to China. What’s more, students from the CI at Bucharest were invited to participate in the opening ceremony of the Summer Camp of the Confucius Institutes in Central and Eastern Europe organized by the Confucius Institute Headquarters / Hanban .
(Visiting the Embassy of Barbados)
In Suzhou, students experienced and learned Suzhou’s history and culture, incense lighting, sachet production, fans painting, embroidery, jade carving among other courses. Additionally, they visited the Suzhou Museum, the VR Experience Center of the Global Institute of Software Technology ,and art shows. They also toured around some cultural attractions in Suzhou, such as Pingjiang Road, Xitang Ancient Town and Suzhou Center. A series of rich and unique activities enabled them to experience the charming city of Suzhou with both classical and modern glamour.
(Fan Painting Class)
The closing ceremony of the 5th Overseas Confucius Institute Chinese Culture Summer Camp was held at the Global Institute of Software Technology in Suzhou in late July. Qu Xin, Deputy Director of the Confucius Institute Office at CUPL, made a concluding remark. On behalf of CUPL, Qu Xin sincerely thanked the Global Institute of Software Technology for its meticulous organization and thoughtful arrangement, especially during typhoon weather and continuous high temperature. Qu also congratulated all the participants on their successful completion of the activities. The student representatives of the four CIs respectively delivered some words at the closing ceremony to share their feelings about the trip to China. Finally, Chinese Co-Directors Xin Yanjun and Dong Jingbo, and He Jiqing, Head of Chinese Teaching in the CI at UIB, awarded the certificates and medals for the students.
(Award the Course-Completion Certificates)
Since 2012, CUPL has established three Confucius Institutes in the UK, Romania and Barbados. In early July 2018, CUPL officially became the Chinese partner of the Confucius Institute at University of Bergen, Norway. Since 2014, CUPL has successfully hosted five overseas Confucius Institute Chinese Culture Summer Camps. During the summer camp of this year, a typhoon hit Beijing and Suzhou. Heavy and torrential rains caused high-speed rails to stop, the traffic to block, and scenic spots to close, which brought many difficulties to the organization and arrangement of the activities. With the meticulous organization, careful arrangement and thoughtful support of all teachers, the summer camp was successfully held with great achievements. Through participation in this summer camp, all students have deepened their understanding of China and its history and culture, and have forged a profound friendship and gained rich memories.
