Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality Holds Evening Party to Celebrate Its 11th Anniversary and Establishment of Alumni Association

On November 19th, the evening party celebrating the 11th anniversary of the Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality and the establishment of the Alumni Association was held at the Mandarin Betong Hotel. The honored guests present included Suppanut Sirantawineti, Chief Executive of Thailand Southern Frontier, Somyod Lertlamyong, Mayor of Betong Municipality, Zhang Jiuhuan, former Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, and Feng Xiao, Consul for Overseas Chinese Affairs of the Chinese Consulate-General in Songkhla. Over 500 guests, including government officials, teachers and students, and people from all walks of life, attended the evening party.

Before the event, the institute held an exhibition of books presented by the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) and Chongqing University Library outside the venue. Meanwhile, there were cultural exhibition stands, showcasing tea art, “Confucius Institute Cup” paper-cut works and traditional Chinese costumes, which offered the guests opportunities to experience the extensive and profound Chinese culture at a close range.

At the beginning of the event, the national anthems of China and Thailand were played, and all audiences stood up in a solemn atmosphere. Lertlamyong delivered his welcome remarks. He said that, the Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality has been constantly developing and growing over the past 11 years with fully-equipped teaching facilities, widely-distributed teaching sites, and diversified activities, making remarkable achievements. Lertlamyong also affirmed the contributions made by the Institute to Betong and southern Thailand in terms of Chinese language teaching. He wishes to deepen cooperation with the Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality, so as to promote Chinese language education in southern Thailand and the friendship between China and Thailand.

Somyod Lertlamyong delivering welcome remarks

Tiwawan Teeranuwat, a local teacher, read the congratulatory letter from Ma Jianfei, Deputy Chief Executive of Confucius Institute Headquarters and Deputy Director-General of Hanban. Ma pointed out in his congratulatory letter that the Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality has made excellent contributions to Chinese language education and the promotion of Chinese culture. He encouraged teachers of the Institute to make unremitting efforts for greater success.

The congratulatory letter from Hanban

Zhang highly praised the important contributions of the Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality to promoting Chinese language teaching and Chinese cultural dissemination in southern Thailand in the past 11 years. He expressed his gratitude to the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) and Chongqing University for their support and assistance to the development of the Institute. He also affirmed the unremitting efforts and achievements made by successive Chinese directors of the Confucius Institute and hoped that it could embrace better development in the next decade.

Zhang Jiuhuan delivering a speech

Ms. Chen Wen, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality, was the last speaker at the evening party. She said that, in the past 11 years, focusing on the Chinese language education in southern Thailand, the Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality has explored a development path with characteristics in promoting Chinese language and culture, made remarkable achievements, and made unique contributions to enhancing the friendship between China and Thailand. In the next decade, the Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality will continue following the principles of innovation, cooperation, inclusiveness and sharing, and further improve teaching quality. It will serve as a bridge for better cultural exchanges between China and Thailand by promoting cultural integration and deepening sincere friendship.

Chen Wen delivering a speech

Subsequently, it was announced that the Alumni Association of the Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality was officially established. Lertlamyong awarded the board of the Alumni Association to Datuk Seri Chew Cheong Kang, its first chairman. Chew said that, the establishment of the Alumni Association built a platform for better information exchanges, resource sharing and friendly contacts among all alumni, representing a major step forward in the development of the Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality.

Somyod Lertlamyong awarding the board of the Alumni Association

The art show kicked off with the song “Descendants of Dragon” performed by a choir of the institute. Council members of the Confucius Institute and the Youth League of Guangxi Guild Hall sang "The State”, amply expressing their sincere love for China. The Children’s Art Chorus of the Institute lively and lovely sang “Little Swallow” in both Chinese and Thai language, winning cheer and applause. Aged dancers of the Institute performed the dance show “Fireworks in March”, with elegant dancing movements and antique music complementing each other. The evening party came to an end with the dancing show “Sleepless Night” performed by volunteer teachers at the institute and trainees from dancing class.

A choir of the institute singing Quartette “On the Horizon”

Teachers from the Confucius Institute and students from Jong Fa Foundation School jointly performing waist drum dance

Drama Club of Children's Art Troupe of the Confucius Institute performing melodrama “Nostalgia”

Teachers of the Confucius Institute performing Classical dancing “Liang Liang”

Teachers of the Confucius Institute singing and dancing “Curry, curry”

“Soul of Emei Wushu” by Emei Wushu Federation Organization

In addition, the awarding ceremony for the 2017 Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality Cup and Chinese Language Talents Contest was also held at the party. Chen Wen and Chew Cheong Kang issued certificates to the winners. At the ceremony, the founding of Children's Art Troupe of the Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality was officially announced. Li Liyun and Zhang Yuanfu, members of the council of the Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality, served as the head and deputy head of the art troupe respectively.

Chew Cheong Kang awarding the prizes for the winners

Zhang Jiuhuan inscribing for the Confucius Institute

On November 19th, Zhang paid a visit to the Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality and held symposiums with other guests participating in the celebration, jointly reviewing the journey the Confucius Institute has undergone in the past 11 years. He wrote an inscription for the Confucius Institute: Remaining true to our aspiration and strive for a new chapter”, wishing that the Confucius Institute could continue to make greater achievements. Subsequently, the Confucius Institute of Betong Municipality and other seven cooperation institutes signed an agreement on friendly cooperation in teaching Chinese language and culture.

Story by Zou Weibin