Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The Chinese college at the University of Liberia on Friday, May 26, 2023, celebrated it 15th anniversary. The Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia celebration brought together educators and Liberian students performing in the Chinese language.
Speaking at the ceremony, Liberia Education Minister, D. Ansu Sonii praised the People Republic of China for their contributions to Liberia education sector. According to him, the construction of the University of Liberia Fandell Campus and frese scholarships to china’s master programs are among many contributions of China to Liberia.
He on behalf of the Liberian government that the government and people of China for their support to Liberia. Minister Sonii also encouraged Liberians to learn the Chinese language.
Li Jiang, the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy to Liberia said, language is a bond that connects people together through time and space. According to him, in recent years, enthusiasm for learning the Chinese language has been growing worldwide, more Liberian are joining the ranks of Chinese learners.
Jiang noted that he is convinced that, as devoted learners of the language, one must have discovered its beauty and the rich history and cultural heritage embodied in each Chinese character and get to learn about China’s five-thousand-year long civilization and the value of peace and harmony that are deeply rooted in the blood of Chinese culture and Chinese people.
‘‘In recent years, President Xi Jinping has proposed the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, together with the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative(GDI) and Global Security Initiative (GSI). Not long ago, President Xi also proposed the Global Civilization Initiative(GCI). The nature behind these new visions echoes the traditional Chinese philosophy of pursuing harmony, peace and win-win cooperation. These visions help us to foster a new type of security and co-existence and common development that replace confrontation, alliance and a zero-sum approach with dialogue, partnership and win-win results.”
The Economic and Commercial Counsellor said, China-Liberia relations are presented with unprecedented historic opportunities for further growth. He noted that to understand China, mastering its language is the golden key, and hope that Liberians will all excel in learning the Chinese language, become ambassadors of friendship, help present a real China to the Liberian public and further promote China-Liberia time-honored relations.
He thanked the Liberian students for taking part in the Chinese Proficiency Competition in Liberia. Jiang noted that this year’s competition was very successful, noting that the people of China were deeply impressed by the youthful energy and self-confidence.
Xu Kun, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Liberia also mentioned that the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia, jointly established by Changsha University of Science & Technology in Hunan province, China and the University of Liberia on December 19th, 2008, has been in development for 15 years with the full cooperation between the two universities.
He said since its establishment, the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia has been dedicated to offering high-quality Chinese language education to Liberians. By encouraging the growth of multiculturalism, he noted that it has offered more than 20 types of Chinese language and culture courses, held nearly one thousand various culture communication activities, and attracted over 18,000 students. According to him, the Summer-camps, Confucius Institute scholarships, and Chinese government scholarships have taken about 300 Liberian undergraduates to China for study.
”Over the past 15 years, the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia has promoted mutual understanding between the peoples of China and Liberia through language teaching and cultural exchanges and has made significant contributions to strengthening humanistic exchanges and friendship between the two countries. The Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia has become a window through which Liberians could get access to Chinese language lectures and better understand Chinese culture.”
Xu Kun said he is optimistic and confident of the Confucius Institute’s prospect. He said, Changsha University of Science and Technology will be resolved to keep on strengthening collaboration with the Liberian government, the University of Liberia, and friends from all walks of life, and to work together to promote the high-quality development of the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia based on the principles of co-consultation, co-construction, and sharing.
”We shall try to make more contributions to increasing educational and cultural exchanges between China and Liberia, developing friendship between the peoples of China and Liberia, and building a community with a shared future for mankind.”
Assistant Professor Dexter Sumo, Director, Confucius Institute, University of Liberia expressed joy of leading the institution into 15 years. He thanked the People Republic of China for the support and encouraged Liberians to show interest in the program.
The anniversary was marked with competition with several Liberian students winning first, second, third and grand prizes. The program took place at the Capitol Hill Campus in central Monrovia.
