The first Confucius Institute on Tuesday opened in Vancouver and
was warmly acclaimed by both the Canadian and Chinese sides.
Visiting Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili inaugurated the
opening of the institute, which was also attended by a group of
Canadian officials.
The opening of the institute not only strengthens Canada-China
relations but also benefits Canadians, especially those interested
in doing business and tourism with the fast-growing Asian country,
according to officials from both countries at the inauguration
ceremony.
"I believe the Confucius Institute would serve as another
important bridge between Canada and China and further enhance
understanding and cooperation between the two countries, " said
Chen, who inaugurated the Confucius Institute at the British
Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
Chen's remarks were echoed by Shirley Bond, Deputy Premier and
Education Minister of British Columbia, a province reputed as
Canada's major gateway to international trade with Asia.
"As bilateral trade and exchange between B.C. and China grows,
we have to strengthen all our opportunities including education,"
Bond said.
"The Confucius Institute at BCIT builds on our ongoing
relationship with China, a relationship I look forward to making
even stronger in the future," She said.
The Confucius Institute, established in February 2006 by the
BCIT with the support and accreditation of the National Office of
Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language under the Chinese Ministry
of Education, is housed on the eighth floor of BCIT's downtown
Vancouver campus. It has multifunctional classrooms, language and
computer labs, and a Chinese library with support from China.
The purpose of the institute is to promote cultural exchange,
economic development, trade and cooperation between Canada and
China through delivering courses and conducting programs related to
China and teaching Chinese Language to Canadians.
Its operation will follow BCIT's polytechnic vision: to provide
practical, hands-on innovative and collaborative instruction that
responds to industry needs.
"We are aiming to give the students an appreciation of the rich
Chinese culture, an orientation to the structures and practices in
China and the tools to be successful in establishing meaningful
ties with China," said Dr. Tony Knowles, BCIT's president.
Instructors at the institute, as planned, will come from BCIT
and other organizations in British Columbia as well as from China,
students will have access to first-hand knowledge on topics related
to the Chinese culture, trade and economy.
BCIT is the largest post-secondary institution in British
Columbia with more than 48,000 full and part time students pursuing
a variety of polytechnic programs leading to degrees, diplomas and
certificates.
(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2006)
