The opening ceremony of the 9th Confucius Institute Conference was held on December 7. After the opening ceremony, a cooperation agreement of co-building a Confucius Institute in the Philippines was signed between Xiamen University and University of Philippines. It will be the 16th Confucius Institute built by Xiamen University and the 475th Confucius Institute set up by China in the world.
Currently, there are 15 Confucius Institutes jointly set up by Xiamen University and local universities in 13 countries on 5 continents.
The Chinese language learning colleges, known as Confucius Institutes, named after the world-renown Chinese philosopher Confucius, are institutions used to promote the education and exchange of Chinese language and culture in the world. The purpose of the Confucius Institute is to develop and promote Chinese teaching in the world, and to promote exchange and cooperation between China and the rest of the world.
Besides, an unveiling ceremony of Dean College of the Confucius Institute was kicked off during the 9th Confucius Institute Conference. With a total area of 34 hectares, Dean College is expected to offer trainings for 3,600 deans and key teachers for the Confucius Institutes around the world.