12-year Efforts, Shouldering Great Responsibility towards Noble Goals
— Celebrations for the 12th Anniversary of Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University

From January 9th to 10th, the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University in Thailand held a series of celebrations on its 12th anniversary, including the nameplate unveiling and book donating ceremony of the Chinese Research Center at the Confucius Institute, the lecture of Chinese experts, and an evening party.

In the morning of January 9th, the nameplate unveiling ceremony of the Chinese Research Center of the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University was held at the Hanhong Hall of the Confucius Institute. Nawarat Wara-aswapati Charoen, Vice President of Khon Kaen University, Li Xiuhua, Chinese Consul General in Khon Kaen and Liu Guangyuan, Assistant President of Southwest University unveiled the nameplate for the Center together.

Nameplate unveiling of the Chinese Research Center

During the event, Cao Jian, Director of the Institute of Calligraphy at the Southwest University and a famous calligrapher, wrote down the message “12-year Efforts, Shouldering Great Responsibility towards Noble Goals” for the Confucius Institute to express his congratulation. Cao Jian’s on-site writing set off the climax of the event. The Chinese Consulate General in Khon Kaen presented professional academic works to the Chinese Research Center.

The guests

To celebrate the establishment of the Chinese Research Center, 3 prestigious professors from Southwest University delivered wonderful speeches which attract great attention from many teachers and students.

Through presentation and live demonstration, Cao Jian displayed the charm of Chinese calligraphy in his speech titled Points, Lines and Surfaces in Chinese Calligraphy and Visual Art. Kou Pengcheng, a professor of the College of Liberal Arts at Southwest University, made a speech titled The Analects of Confucius and Chinese People’s Value Orientation, introducing the bookmaking situation of The Analects of Confucius and Chinese people’s values reflected in the book. By interpreting the Martial Arts Novels of Louis Cha that the Thai students are familiar with, Han Yunbo, an editorial reviewer of the Journal of Southwest University, explored the culture of swordsman of China and Thailand and compared their differences.

On January 10th, the evening party of the 12th anniversary of the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University was held in a grand manner. More than 300 people attended this ceremony, including Somsak, Governor of Khon Kaen, Santi, Vice Governor of Khon Kaen, Kittichai Triratanasirichai, President of Khon Kaen University, Bounsy Vongbouasy, Laotian Consul General in Khon Kaen, the delegation of Southwest University, directors of various departments of Khon Kaen University, as well as teachers and students from the teaching sites of the Confucius Institute and the partner colleges and universities.

Somsak delivering a speech

In his speech, Somsak said that during the past 12 years, the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University has enabled more Thais to understand Chinese culture by offering Chinese courses and holding various Chinese culture activities. In addition, the Confucius Institute also supports exchanges and project development in terms of education in China and Thailand, creating opportunities for students in Thailand to study in China. Therefore, Khon Kaen University not only serves as an institution established by the two countries for Chinese learning, but also promotes social development of Thailand and tightens the friendship between China and Thailand.

Kittichai Triratanasirichai delivering a speech

In his speech, Kittichai Triratanasirichai praised greatly the achievements of the Confucius Institute since its establishment. He indicated that the Confucius Institute has improved Chinese teaching quality of Khon Kaen University, pushed forward development of Chinese teaching in northeastern Thailand, cultivated many Chinese teachers for the local education and promoted cultural exchanges as well as scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.

Liu Guangyuan delivering a speech

In his speech, Liu Guangyuan reviewed the history of the Confucius Institute jointly established by Southwest University and Khon Kaen University as well as the brilliant achievements of the Institute in the past. He thanked the staff of both the Chinese and the Thai sides of the Confucius Institute for their contributions and encouraged them to make further efforts and make greater achievements.

“Thousand-hand Guan Yin”

Drum music performance

The guests

Students of the Confucius Institute performed “Thousand-hand Guan Yin”, traditional dance of northeastern Thailand, mixed Chinese songs singing and other programs. 30 children from the kindergarten attached to the Public Overseas Chinese School in Khon Kaen presented a joint singing performance of Chinese and Thai songs. The evening party closed with the Chinese folk song “Jasmine Flower” by the students.