On June 16th, local time, the Confucius Institute at the University of Panama (UP) held its inauguration ceremony and the plate-unveiling ceremony of the Chinese Studio Section at the multi-functional conference hall.
Rafael Pino Pinto, Governor of the Province of Panama; Eduardo, President of the University of Panama; Wei Qiang, Chinese Ambassador to Panama; Ji Jinbiao, President of the Beijing International Studies University (BISU);Chinese and foreign directors of the Confucius Institute and entrepreneur representatives jointly cut the ribbon at the ceremony, and later Eduardo and Ji Jinbiao unveiled the nameplate for the Chinese Studio Section.
Guests cutting the ribbon at the ceremony
Plate-unveiling Ceremony of the Chinese Studio Section
Later, Wei Qiang delivered a speech, saying that the inauguration of the Confucius Institute coincides with the first anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Panama, and that the development of the bilateral relation will bring unprecedented opportunities for academic research and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. On behalf of the Embassy, Wei Qiang wished the Confucius Institute at the University of Panama a vigorous development and reviewed his experience of learning Spanish. He encouraged students at the Confucius Institute to get excellent results of their study so as to improve the friendship between China and Panama with the knowledge they learned.
Eduardo spoke highly of the achievements of the two countries in all walks of life since the establishment of diplomatic ties. He believed that the great progress achieved by the Confucius Institute in such a short period of time is exactly the outcome of the joint efforts of both sides. The University of Panama would, as always, encourage and support the construction of the Confucius Institute, and the establishment of the “Chinese Studio Section” would serve as an important window of information for the Panamanian people to learn about Chinese culture, bringing broad space and prospects for development and application.
Ji Jinbiao expressed at his statement that the Confucius Institute would set up teaching sites at academic institutions such as the International Maritime University of Panama, the University of Chiriqui Autonomous Region, the University of Panama, International Hotel University of Panama, and so on, which fully demonstrated the importance attached by those schools to the development of the Confucius Institute. President Ji also congratulated those universities on becoming members of the great family of the Confucius Institute. He hoped that the newly established “Chinese Studio Section” would advance with the times, play its leading role as a think-tank, and become the pioneer in the study of China by the Panamanian academia.
Eduardo, Ji Jinbiao and Su Bo, Deputy General Manager of the American regional company of China Habour signed a letter of intent to build the “China Harbour-BISU-UP Speech Laboratory” with the Confucius Institute at the University of Panama, in order to promote the development of hardware facilities of the Confucius Institute.
Signing ceremony of the letter of intent to build the “China Harbour-BISU-UP Speech Laboratory”
Rafael said that the Province of Panama attached great importance to talent training and exchanges, and he hoped the Confucius Institute would play its full role in promoting the friendship between China and Panama. He also awarded a special honorary certificate to Ji Jinbiao in recognition of his dedication, spirit of transcendence and hard work in teaching and leading universities in the exchange of international education.
Rafael (right) awards a special honorary certificate to Ji Jinbiao (left)
In the end, Wei Qiang personally presented the uniform of the Panama national football team to each student at the opening ceremony. The students were so excited that they said it was a historic moment witnessing four important events: the first anniversary of the China-Panama diplomatic tie, the inauguration ceremony of the Confucius Institute, the plate-unveiling ceremony of the Chinese Studio Section and the first time that the Panama football team entered the World Cup.
Wei Qiang presenting uniforms as gifts to each student attending the opening ceremony
Panama state television, Panama City Television, Panama Television Chinese Channel, Diario Chino Latinoamericano, Xinhua News Agency in Panama, the CCTV Spanish Channel and other mainstream media at home and abroad reported the event. (cited from Confucius Institute Headquarters, source: Confucius Institute at the University in Panama, Story by Dong Yang)
