On November 14, Tan Tieniu, Academician of the CAS and Secretary of CPC NJU Committee, attended the 2022 Online Council of the Confucius Institute at the University of Freiburg, Germany. In his capacity as Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, Tan held friendly talks with Professor Gund, German Director from the University of Freiburg, Ulrich von Kirchbach, the First Deputy Mayor of Freiburg, and other members of the Council.

Tan fully affirmed the achievements constituted by the Confucius Institute at the University of Freiburg over the past year in overcoming the pandemic and other difficulties, and expressed his heartfelt thanks to all parties who have given great support to the Confucius Institute. Drawing on his own experience of studying and living in Europe, Tan emphasized the necessity of adequate communication between different countries and cultures, as well as the significance of the Confucius Institute and other platforms for cultural exchanges. The German side highly agreed with him.

Tan expressed his expectation that the Confucius Institute will continue to carefully carry out Chinese language education and Chinese cultural exchange, establishing a foothold in Freiburg and radiating surrounding areas, and play the role of bond and bridge for the cooperation between Nanjing University and the University of Freiburg, as well as between Nanjing and Freiburg, writing on the beautiful chapter of friendship between Chinese and German people.

Gund believed that the Confucius Institute at the University of Freiburg has achieved remarkably, and the University of Freiburg will spare no effort to promote the sustainable development of the Confucius Institute and hope to maintain a friendly cooperation with Nanjing University. Von Kirchbach noted that the Confucius Institute at the University of Freiburg not only cultivates Chinese talents for Germany, but also for other European countries and regions, and it is a testimony of the friendship between China and Germany.

The council reviewed and approved the 2021 annual work summary, 2022 annual work plan and the financial budget report of the Confucius Institute at the University of Freiburg.

In 2022, the Confucius Institute at the University of Freiburg overcame the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, offered a total of 95 Chinese and Chinese culture classes throughout the year, actively supported the teaching of the Chinese Department of the University of Freiburg, and held a series of Chinese culture promotion activities and advanced academic lectures. All this has been well welcomed.

Present at the meeting were also the head of the Confucius Institute Office of Nanjing University, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Freiburg and the German staff.

Translator: Ping Xuan

Editors: Chen Xing, Shao Yihang