On October 8, an unveiling ceremony was held at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Cook Islands campus, Rarotonga to mark the opening of a Confucius Institute Classroom. The Education Counsellor from the Chinese Embassy Chen Yue delivered a speech at the ceremony and unveiled the Confucius Classroom. The Cook Islands Minister of Internal Affairs Albert Nicholas, President of Vanuatu Baldwin Lonsdale, Cook Islands Secretary of Education Gail Townsend, USP Vice-Chancellor Rajesh Chandra and the President of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications Qiao Jianyong attended the ceremony.
Counsellor Chen Yue conveyed a message of congratulations on the unveiling of the Confucius Classroom from Ambassador Wang Lutong. Counsellor Chen also expressed gratitude towards the Cook Islands Government, the universities from both China and the Cook Islands that cooperated on the project, and the wider community for the support provided to the Confucius Classroom. Counsellor Chen hoped that the Confucius Classroom would become an important platform for the Cook Island people to learn Chinese and about Chinese culture. Counsellor Chen also hoped that the Classroom would contribute to enhancing friendship between the Cook Islands and Chinese people, and assist in promoting future cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Minister Nicholas noted that the Confucius Classroom would play an important role in strengthening China – Cook Islands cooperation. The Classroom would provide more development opportunities for the Cook Islands and its people in a number of fields including fisheries and tourism.
This is the first Confucius Classroom in the Cook Islands. A full-time Chinese language teacher from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications will be assigned to the Confucius Classroom. Multiple Chinese language courses are planned for the students - with consideration being given to gradually incorporating Chinese language classes into the USP's formal credit courses.
Counsellor Chen Yue conveyed a message of congratulations on the unveiling of the Confucius Classroom from Ambassador Wang Lutong. Counsellor Chen also expressed gratitude towards the Cook Islands Government, the universities from both China and the Cook Islands that cooperated on the project, and the wider community for the support provided to the Confucius Classroom. Counsellor Chen hoped that the Confucius Classroom would become an important platform for the Cook Island people to learn Chinese and about Chinese culture. Counsellor Chen also hoped that the Classroom would contribute to enhancing friendship between the Cook Islands and Chinese people, and assist in promoting future cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Minister Nicholas noted that the Confucius Classroom would play an important role in strengthening China – Cook Islands cooperation. The Classroom would provide more development opportunities for the Cook Islands and its people in a number of fields including fisheries and tourism.
This is the first Confucius Classroom in the Cook Islands. A full-time Chinese language teacher from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications will be assigned to the Confucius Classroom. Multiple Chinese language courses are planned for the students - with consideration being given to gradually incorporating Chinese language classes into the USP's formal credit courses.