A delegation led by Ding Hao, vice-president of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), visited Germany and Austria from July 5 to 11, fostering the development of local Confucius Institutes.

Leaders of the Confucius Institute Munich and BFSU's delegation pose for a group photo. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

On July 5, the delegation visited the Confucius Institute Munich, where they engaged in in-depth discussions with the directors from both China and Germany about the institute's development.

Ding praised the institute's achievements in Chinese language teaching, talent cultivation, and cultural exchange. He expressed hopes for further optimization of the teaching system, enhancement of efficiency, and expansion of academic exchanges. He highlighted the global trial of the HSK 3.0 exam and anticipated the institute's role as a significant testing center in Bavaria and Germany, with BFSU offering full support.

On July 6, the delegation met with Qiu Xuejun, China's consul general in Munich, and Education Consul Liu Qingwen.

Ding shared BFSU's collaborative achievements with Germany, focusing on inter-university exchanges and the development of the four Confucius Institutes in the country. Qiu commended the important role of Confucius Institutes in promoting Chinese language education and cultural exchange, highlighting BFSU's distinctive contributions.

On July 7, the delegation visited the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and held talks with its president, Joachim Hornegger. Both sides acknowledged the Confucius Institute's role as a bridge in Chinese language teaching and student exchanges, expressing confidence in continued stable cooperation.

Ding Hao writes a message in both Chinese and German on behalf of BFSU in the guestbook at FAU. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

That evening, BFSU's delegation attended the 2026 board meeting of the Confucius Institute in Nuremberg-Erlangen, where they reviewed work reports and plans for the new academic year. Ding emphasized the institute's achievements in meeting local Chinese learning needs and promoting academic exchanges, encouraging further enhancement of cross-cultural dialogue.

Ding and his delegation also participated in the 20th-anniversary celebration of the institute, which was attended by over 300 representatives from 12 Confucius Institutes in Germany. Ding congratulated the institute and thanked the staff for their dedication, hoping for continued breakthroughs in Chinese education and cultural exchange.

BFSU's delegation at the 20th-anniversary celebration of the Confucius Institute in Nuremberg-Erlangen [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

The delegation also attended the 20th-anniversary celebration of the Confucius Institute at the University of Vienna.

Ding highlighted the institute's role as a platform for Austrians to learn about Chinese culture through language, music, and literature. He also stated that BFSU aims to deepen cooperation with the University of Vienna, supporting the institute's continued contributions to Sino-Austrian cultural exchanges.

Leaders of the Confucius Institute at the University of Vienna and BFSU's delegation pose for a group photo. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

BFSU's delegation expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Chinese staff at the Confucius Institute in cultural dissemination and friendship promotion, and encouraging continued contributions to Sino-Austrian relations.