Ladies and Gentleman, friends, good evening:
Tonight, I am humbled and honored to represent the Confucius Institute of Pfeiffer University, on behalf of all colleagues of Pfeiffer CI, we are very excited, as Chinese old saying goes – Celebration day is a especially time for remembrance…. at this special moment, I am thinking of Madame Xu Lin, Xueming and Mr. Song, Guozhi, etc. for their hard work to make this moment happen. Importantly, today, we are so happy to receive Madame Xu’s Letter of Congratulations, it is such an honor for CI Pfeiffer, for her outstanding leadership, she has done remarkable things for our human being!
Please also allow me to introduce our distinguished guests from China. Ms. Li Qin Li, CEO and president of Beijing International Culture & Art Corp., Ltd, and Birds Nest Management LLC. Her colleagues, VP Zhengyin and Art Director Mr. Sun, Dr. Feng Wujing, the vice president of Shanxi Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Dr. Ji Laixi, Director of Shanxi Acupuncture Institute. Dr. Luo Xuezheng, a famous Chinese ceramic artist, a Professor of Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, and his colleague Mr. Li Xiaoxing, Director of Jingdezhen Institute, Chinese famous young art critic, from China Ministry of Culture, Professor Duan Xiaoyun, from Shanxi University, professor Duan Xiaoyun‟s specialty is Chinese Calligraphy, Mr. Cai Xaoming, TV producer and reporter from China Yellow River TV Station, and his colleague, Mr. Yin Xuehua, the associate director of China Yellow River TV Station. Thank you for coming to the CI Grand Opening. With your attendance, our Grand Opening has become more meaningful. “得贵宾光顾,蓬蓽生辉”。Now, let‟s welcome our Chinese guests with a big round of applause. Also please warmly welcome Mr. Jiangyi Liu, the Second Secretary of Education Office of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington DC. Mr. Tom Tate, CMS Board trustee, Dr Ambrose and very much appreciate his vision and support to set up CI at Pfeiffer University. I would also especially like to thank Dr. David Heckel, for all his work and support of Pfeiffer CI.
This Ceremony marks the start of the 46th Confucius Institute in the United States. It has been a great honor and privilege to work together with the Chinese Language Council International, Pfeiffer University, and Shanxi University to bring this wonderful educational opportunity to the Charlotte area. Together we have all succeeded in bringing the East and West together in one place through the power of learning
The relationship between the United States and the People‟s Republic of China is characterized by complex interconnections and mutual benefits. Here is a quote by John Maxwell Hamilton from Sara Bongiorni‟s book “A Year Without „Made in China‟” that illustrates the current situation between China and the US.
“Over the past century, Americans’ images of China have fluctuated wildly from victim, to heroic fighter, to Communist fanatic. We have loved them and feared them. And now, as Sara Bongiorni shows in vivid personal terms, we are in a new phase where it is a little of both. China has become an economic giant that can step on our toes, but that we must embrace.”
The present cooperative nature of China and US relations has held a rather recently history. Starting from January 1, 1979, the two countries officially established diplomatic relations, marking a historic turning point in the bilateral relations. From then on, the Sino- US relationship entered a new stage. After the open- door policy was announced to the world by Deng Xiaoping in 1978, China declared it would never go back to closed ages of the 60‟s and the 70‟s. In an era of rapid globalization, the two countries are becoming more interdependent and the educational systems of both nations have responded to this phenomenon by working to equip the next generation who will be required to merge seamlessly into much larger world.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relation, the area of education and cultural exchanges between our two countries has developed rapidly. Within three decades, there have been almost 400K Chinese students that have traveled to America to study. For that same period of time, China has received thousands of American students. According China Ministry of Education, in 2007 there were 170.000 Chinese students who studied abroad. In 2009, it has increased to 200K students overseas and America is the first option among UK, Australia and Canada.
I have been through three decades of the development of US-China relations and have personally witnessed its development over the course of 30 years. My father was a former president of Shanxi University. He founded the first Chinese-Foreign University exchange programs with the University of South Carolina in the 1980‟s when China and the United States took their first steps towards diplomatic relations. My father dedicated his life to the establishment of world peace and global stability by the promotion of institutions of higher learning between China and the rest of the world; a hope that is now being realized.
The mission of the Confucius Institute Headquarters reflects the goals of my father and many others in the quest to improve educational opportunities. China first began Confucius Institutes to promote the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language and to create exchanges and co-operations in the educational fields with other societies around the globe. These are the objectives the Confucius Institute at Pfeiffer University will not only pursue but expand upon with Chinese language teaching; training Chinese instructors and offering teaching resources, providing consultative services concerning China‟s business culture, as well as promoting the development of multi-Culturalism in today‟s classrooms. The necessity of mutual understanding and friendship between the U.S. and China is evident in the modern world as never before. After thirty years, the development of US-Sino relations tells us that collaboration benefits both, while confrontation can only hurt. The United States and China in this time of history have found themselves interlaced into an international economic and cultural community. Every student should realize this impact to the future development of all areas of education and social life.
I have inherited the spirit of my father to assume the relations and exchange programs between Pfeiffer University and Shanxi University through the educational opportunities at the Confucius Institute. The Confucius Institute at Pfeiffer University realizes the need for increased Chinese education and resources and we will strive to provide our students with the tools they need to succeed in a multi-cultural and globalized world. As a director, I have a responsibility to help to put up a golden bridge between people from both countries, and to learn from each other and help each other to do meaningful things for human beings.
Ladies and gentlemen, as I stand here and reflect, I hope the USA and China are prosperity together in harmony, I am recalling the famous quote of the founding of American father, Thomas Jefferson–“Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.” And this is also what Confucius advocated.
Thank you! Xiexie !