On the morning of December 15, the opening ceremony of the 2023 Winter Camp themed “Tracing Chinese Modernization” for the Confucius Institute at DUT was held in the Changsheng Convention Center in FAFU. The event was chaired by Lan Siren, the President of FAFU.
Opening Ceremony
Wang Jiannan, Chair of the FAFU Council, makes a speech
On behalf of FAFU, Mr. Wang Jiannan delivered a speech, expressing his hope that faculty and students from the Confucius Institute at DUT would seize this opportunity to learn Chinese better, enhance their language proficiency, immerse themselves in Chinese culture, and make friends not only at FAFU but also across China. Wang wished for the enduring growth of the friendship between Chinese and South African youth. He encouraged the faculty and students of the Confucius Institute to act as the messengers of Chinese-South African culture, contributors to bilateral collaboration, and facilitators of friendship between China and South Africa by exploring more during their travels, sharing their experiences and thoughts in their journey throughout China so as to present an accurate, multidimensional and panoramic image of China to more South African friends.
Wang Yang, Deputy Director General of Fujian Provincial Department of Education, makes a speech
Chen Guoquan, Vice Director of Fujian Provincial Office of Foreign Affairs, makes a speech
Mr. Chen Guoquan highlighted the significance of the winter camp. He emphasized that this event deepens the mutual understanding and friendships among the youth of China and South Africa, marking a milestone in the cultural exchange between both sides. Chen hopes that young students from both countries will continue to follow the development of BRICS cooperation, deepen their understanding of BRICS spirit of “openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation”, and contribute to the further development of friendly exchanges and cooperation between Fujian and South Africa.
Camper Flag Presentation
Awards for Excellent Essays
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Wang Jiannan presented the flag to Wu Lin, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at DUT, and Sanele Ntuli, the representative of Confucius Institute students. Daily necessities of the winter camp were handed out to the participants, while certificates and prizes were presented to the winners for the China (Fujian) - South Africa Youth BRICS Cooperation Essay Competition. In this essay competition, FAFU students received one grand prize, one first prize and two third prizes in the Chinese group, while DUT participants received one grand prize, one first prize, one second prize, and three third prizes in the English group. Three winners from DUT attended the winter camp and received their awards.
Group Photo
It is reported that FAFU has been hosting the Confucius Institute Winter Camp since 2015, and this year marks its 7th session. The 15-day camp of this year covers a variety of themes and activities in Fuzhou, Ningde, Wuyishan, Quanzhou, Xiamen, and Beijing, including on-site visits, cultural experiences, discussions, and dialogues. The winter camp has become a crucial platform for the faculty and students of the Confucius Institute at DUT to learn Chinese better and gain deeper insights into China.
Correspondant/Photogragher: Publicity Department Sui Fanghua/Gao Yan
Translators: Chen Jun, International College
Xie Xinyi, International College
