Mr. Xu Jialu visits Confucius Institute at Andong National University, South Korea

On July 5, Mr. Xu Jialu, a renowned Chinese scholar and linguist, President of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching and Vice-chairman of the 9th and 10th Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, paid a visit to the Confucius Institute at Andong National University, South Korea.

Korean Director of the Confucius Institute at Andong National University Lee Yun Hwa extended his welcome to Mr. Xu and his gratitude to Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) as well as Chinese scholars for their support and assistance. He said that the Confucius Institute will make full use of current available resources and make greater efforts to attain its goal. Mr. Xu added that Andong, a city that represents South Korean spirit and culture, and Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, are both embodiments of fine traditional culture. The friendly cooperation between these two marks a milestone for cultural exchanges between China and South Korea. He said he would continue to support the Confucius Institute at Andong National University to take Confucianism as its characteristic.

Mr. Xu Jialu at a meeting with the faculty and staff of the Confucius Institute at Andong National University

Mr. Xu Jialu listening to the report on the work of the Confucius Institute at Andong National University

Mr. Xu then visited the Chinese Language Teaching Center for Teenagers attached to the Confucius Institute at Andong National University, where he had cordial talks with some South Korean primary school students studying there. The children all called him “Papa Xu”, and introduced to him in Chinese their study at the Institute. Mr. Xu encouraged the students to work hard to learn Chinese and strive to become envoys for exchanges between the two countries in the future.

A student from the Chinese Language Teaching Center for Teenagers presenting a bouquet to Mr. Xu Jialu

Mr. Xu Jialu and South Korean primary school students from the Chinese Language Teaching Center for Teenagers

On the same day, Mr. Xu also had a meeting with the Chinese language teachers from the Confucius Institute. “International Chinese language teachers should not only promote Chinese culture to foreigners but also take in the essence of other cultures. As volunteer teachers, you should always remember why you decided to take this job in the first place. I hope all of you can take advantage of what you have learned from the local culture and contribute more to carrying forward Chinese language and culture.” said Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu Jialu and volunteer Chinese language teachers from the Confucius Institute at Andong National University

Also on the visit with Mr. Xu were Zhao Dawei, Chinese Deputy Consul General in Busan; Wang Daqian, General Director of Chinese Confucius Foundation; Gao Shuqun, Deputy Director of the Shandong Provincial Bureau of Cultural Heritage; Prof. Wang Xuedian, Executive Vice President of the Advanced Institute for Confucian Studies at Shandong University; Prof. Yan Binggang and Prof. Huang Yushun, Vice Presidents of the Advanced Institute for Confucian Studies at Shandong University; Wang Bingchun, the Director of the Office of Shandong Provincial Department of Culture; and Li Xuetang, Vice President of the Research Institute for South Korea Studies at Shandong University.

By?Pan Lili, Sun Yanpei and Wang Wen