(Kamuzu College of Nursing, 12 August 2016)

Hon. Emmanuel Fabiano, Minister of Education, Science and Technology, and the Guest of Honor,

Hon. Francis Kasaila, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,

Prof. John Saka, Vice Chancellor of the University of Malawi,

Friends from the media,

Faculty members and Students,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

It gives me great pleasure to attend the inauguration of the first Confucius Institute in Malawi. We have been expecting this day for many years. Finally, it comes. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Malawi and in my own name, I would like to extend my warm congratulations to the University of Malawi and University of International Business and Economics of China on the official launching of this programme. I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Malawi and Chinese Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters) for their strong support to make this happen.

Confucius was a famous teacher, politician and philosopher, who lived in ancient China about 2500 years ago. As a teacher, he had a large number of disciples and followers. As a politician, he strongly advocated for social order and governance on the basis of virtue. As a philosopher, his profound thinking becomes the backbone of Chinese culture and ethics.

Thanks to Confucius, such core values as kindness, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trustworthiness have been passed on from generation to generation. Confucius had a dream of building a world of Datong, which means a harmonious world. Today, China is a peace-loving nation that calls for harmony of the world, because to some extent we are all disciples of Confucius.

Confucius is the cultural icon of China, but he doesn’t only belong to China. With over 500 Confucius Institutes being established, people around the world now have the chance to understand Chinese culture and master Chinese language. Meanwhile, through the interaction in the platform of Confucius Institutes, Chinese culture has also been enriched and Chinese language has been further developed. In a word, Confucius Institutes have disseminated the seeds of mutual exchange and mutual learning among different cultures.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Like many other countries, Malawi welcomes Chinese language and culture. When I walk on the street of Lilongwe, Zomba or Blantyre, I can always hear people greeting us with “Nihao”, which means “Muli bwanji”. Many Malawians have shown keen interest in learning Chinese. Apart from admiring Chinese culture, many of them may have practical motives. Some intend to do business with Chinese partners. Some want to further their study in China. Some find it easier to be employed with Chinese language proficiency.

Indeed, it helps a lot if you can speak Chinese fluently. China is now the world’s second largest economy, largest trading nation, and largest holder of foreign exchange reserves. China has become one of the most important development partners of Malawi. Chinese investment has made impact to the economic and social development in Malawi. Learning Chinese is not only interesting, but also useful.

In the past few years, many Malawian students have already benefited from the Chinese language courses conducted in the major cities of Malawi. But they are far from enough. Now with the official launch of Confucius Institute, our Malawian friends can have easier access to the educational resources.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Since the establishment of our diplomatic ties eight years ago, the bilateral relations between China and Malawi have maintained sound and rapid growth. In the process, cultural and people-to-people exchanges have played an important role. Only when people from our two countries really understand each other, we can truly respect and support each other. This will in turn translate into the solid basis of ever-lasting friendship and cooperation.

Confucius Institute is a window for you to know China. I also welcome more Malawian friends to visit China to see it with your own eyes, to witness the glorious history, modern development and vibrant life of Chinese people.

Thank you very much.