Respected Prof. George K.T. Oduro, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast,
Hon. Kwamena Duncan, Minister of the Central Region,
Respected Prof. Hu Liangcai and Prof. Kwado Opoku-Agyeman, Chinese Director and Ghanaian Director of Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana,
Distinguished guests,
Faculty members, students,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning!
It is my great pleasure to attend the first anniversary celebration of Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Coast. There is a Chinese saying, everything is hard in the beginning. In the past one year, teachers and volunteers of the Confucius Institute at UCC have overcome a number of difficulties and given sweat of hardworking to get off to a flying start. I would like to express my deep respect for your unremitting efforts. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to the faculty members of UCC and our Ghanaian friends who are committed to China-Ghana friendship and who have rendered strong support to the smooth operation of Confucius Institute.
Confucius Institutes have traversed an extraordinary journey of 12 years. Up till now, there are 511 Confucius Institutes and 1073 Confucius Classrooms in 140 countries with 2.1 million students of all kinds. Confucius Institutes have become an important platform for exchange and mutual emulation of Chinese and other civilizations, and a window through which the world comes to know more about China and China deepens the friendship and cooperation with other countries.
Confucius Institute at UCC is said to be the 500th Confucius Institute around the world and the second in Ghana. Yet, I keep with myself letters requesting for setting up Confucius Institute from vice-chancellors of several Ghanaian universities.
Perhaps it is time to answer one question, what is the reason that Confucius Institutes are becoming increasingly popular and influential in this society?
First of all, it undoubtedly attributes to the charm of Chinese culture. Confucius Institute is the place where people learn Chinese language and understand Chinese culture. The Chinese civilization traversed for thousands of years, and yielded large quantities of cultural treasures with broad and profound essence. There’s a province called Shaanxi in China. The number of cultural relics displayed in the museums in this province reaches nearly 8 million. Today I brought here a birthday gift, called double-faced embroidery. This embroidery technology was developed a thousand years ago in China. You can see the splendor of Chinese culture through this piece of works. What’s more, there are lots of ideas and moral norms originated from Chinese traditional culture, values of which never fade away. For example, the Chinese leaders often make full use of the sayings from our ancient wisdom and instruct the Chinese civil servants to acquire political ambitions such as Be the first to worry the woes of the people, and the last to share the weal of the people; to follow your heart of patriotism such as whatever my social status, I will never lay aside my concern for the nation, to obtain the awe-inspiring righteousness such as Never be corrupted by wealth and status, Never depart from principle due to poverty or humble position, Never bow down to power or coercion, and to have the spirit of dedication such as Everyone will one day die; when my day comes, may my loyalty to the country be inscribed into history. The Chinese nation has developed the human-oriented concept of loving all creatures as if they are your kind and all people as if they are your brothers, the political concept of governing with both virtue and rule of law, the peaceful approach of love, non-offense and good-neighborliness, the idea of peace being of paramount importance and harmony without uniformity as well as personal conduct to treat others in a way that you would like to be treated and help others succeed if you want to succeed yourself. These traditional values with a unique oriental touch provide endless source of invaluable cultural assets to the theory and practice of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.
Second, it attributes to the comprehensive national strength of China. The increasing influence of Chinese culture is indispensable with China’s rapid economic development. As Chairman Mao Zedong’s poem goes, Nanjing City, getting rid of the old ruler, outshines its ancient glories; In heroic triumph heaven and earth have been overturned. After reform and opening-up for over 30 years, China has become the second largest economy in the world and the main driving force for the world economy, contributing 30% annually to the world economy. China is leading global governance by contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese proposals. The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was concluded in Beijing half a month ago with abundant results. Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out in his remarks that China will insist on jointly building through consultation to meet the interests of all, aiming at policy, infrastructure, trade, finance and people-to-people connectivity. China will work together with other countries to build the Belt and Road into a road of peace, prosperity, opening up, innovation, and civilization. This caused active response from all parties. China signed dozens of cooperation agreements with countries and international organizations during the Forum, which outlined the road map for the success of the Belt and Road Initiative and pointed a clear way for future cooperation. China brought up many new measures to build synergies in development strategies and policies, promote the construction of economic corridor, enhance major projects cooperation and enlarge financial support. This shows China’s responsibility. This sends out the strongest voice of the times.
Third, it attributes to the vigor of China-Ghana relations. Ghana is the second sub-Saharan African country to establish diplomatic relations with China. After 56 years, our relations have grown from strength to strength and our cooperation in all areas has obtained significant success, bringing real benefits to our two peoples. Ghana is an important partner to China on the African continent. Our bilateral trade volume and China’s investment in Ghana rank among the forefront throughout Africa. Now the Chinese side is working with the new Ghanaian government to strengthen collaboration, enhance communication and exchanges on governance, and scale up planning on priority projects of future cooperation. In the meanwhile, China and Ghana share vibrant exchanges on culture. Our cooperation in the area of culture, education, sports, tourism, press, think tanks, youth and women is ever increasing and mutual understanding has been deepened. More and more Ghanaian friends love learning Chinese and go to China for study or business. The University of Ghana will set up its master program of Chinese language teaching soon, which will be a breakthrough in Africa and of great importance for Ghana to conduct Chinese language teaching in the future. The key to sound relations between countries lies in the affinity between their peoples, which largely stems from mutual understanding. A Chinese ancient philosopher once said, Visit those who you feel close to even without meeting them before, and invite those you cannot forget long after your paths crossed. I think this is a perfect definition of exchange between UCC and Hunan City University.
Faculty members, students, ladies and gentlemen,
In modern times, all countries are growing into a community of common interests and common destiny for all mankind. The megatrend of mutually enriching cultural exchanges and win-win cooperation between China and the world bring historical opportunities and broad space for the development of Confucius Institutes.
Human beings have a history of civilization for thousands of years. Each country and each nation become what they are by inheriting the past and forging the future, and the world becomes what it is by integration of diversified civilizations. We explore wisdom and absorb nutrients from different civilizations to find inner peace and spiritual handhold, and work hand in hand to deal with challenges that all mankind is facing. In March 2014 at UNESCO headquarters, Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out in his remarks that Civilizations have become richer and more colorful with exchanges and mutual learning. Such exchanges and mutual learning form an important drive for human progress and global peace and development. Last month at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, President Xi emphasized in his speech that we should build the Belt and Road into a road connecting different civilizations. In pursuing the Belt and Road Initiative, we should ensure that when it comes to different civilizations, exchange will replace estrangement, mutual learning will replace clashes, and coexistence will replace a sense of superiority. This will boost mutual understanding, mutual respect and mutual trust among different countries.
Chinese national leaders attach great importance to the construction of Confucius Institutes and instruct the latter to go for innovation, cooperation, inclusiveness and sharing, deepen the reform and innovation of teachers, teaching materials and teaching methods, extend functions, improve quality, and strive for content-driven development. Confucius Institutes should advocate the initiatives of collaborators from both sides, improve the mechanism and enhance the partnership and integration. Localization, opening doors for everyone, and promoting mutual learning are to be pushed forward. Confucius Institutes should take an active part in serving the Belt and Road Initiative, make efforts to benefit all the people, and make fresh contribution to promoting the pluralistic civilizations.
It will take a long way to go for the one-year old Confucius Institute at UCC to realize those ambitions. However, those who keep practicing will succeed, those who keep moving will reach the final destination. Roads are created by walking, achievements are scored by doing. Common cause calls for joint efforts. I would like to extend my best wishes to Confucius Institute at UCC and hope you will continue to elevate your work a notch higher. I firmly believe that your journey has just begun with a pleasing outlook and your efforts will be pay back with a more colorful future.
Thank you!
驻加纳大使孙保红在海岸角大学孔子学院成立一周年庆典上的讲话
尊敬的海岸角大学副校长奥杜罗教授，
尊敬的中部省省长长夸梅那·邓肯先生，
尊敬的海岸角大学孔子学院中方院长胡亮才教授，加方院长夸杜沃·奥波库-阿杰曼教授，
各位嘉宾，
老师们、同学们，
女士们、先生们，
大家早上好！
非常高兴出席海岸角大学孔子学院成立一周年庆典。中国有句俗语，“万事开头难”。在过去一年里，孔院的老师和志愿者们克服万难，辛勤付出，取得了“开门红”的良好业绩，我谨向你们作出的不懈努力表示深深的敬意。海岸角大学校方以及各位致力于中加友好的加纳朋友，为孔院顺利运营提供了大力支持与帮助。借此机会，我也向你们表示诚挚的谢意！
中国在海外创办孔子学院已有12年。目前，已在140个国家建立了511所孔子学院和1073个孔子课堂，各类学员达210万人。孔院已成为中外文明交流互鉴的重要平台和世界认识中国、中国与各国深化友谊和合作的重要窗口。
据说，海岸角大学孔子学院就是中国在全球建立的第500所孔院。这是中方在加纳成立的第二所孔子学院，而目前在我案头要求中方建孔院的加纳各大学校长来信，还有好几封。
也许我们需要回答一个问题，“孔院热”在加纳不断升温、影响日增，背后的原因到底是什么呢？
无疑，这首先要归功于中华文化的魅力。孔院是各国人民学习汉语和了解中华文化的园地。中华文明绵延数千年，博大精深、底蕴深厚，在漫长的岁月里留下了浩如烟海的精品精华。中国有一个陕西省，这个省就有近800万件馆藏文物。今天我给海岸角大学孔院带来了一件生日礼物——双面绣。这项刺绣技术在中国已有千年历史。中华文化之灿烂悠久，可见一斑。更重要的是，中华优秀传统文化中很多思想理念、道德规范，有其永不褪色的价值。比如，中国领导人经常旁征博引，告诫中国的公务人员要有“先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐”的政治抱负，“位卑未敢忘忧国”的报国情怀，“富贵不能淫，贫贱不能移，威武不能屈”的浩然正气，“人生自古谁无死，留取丹心照汗青”的献身精神。而民胞物与、仁者爱人的人本精神，为政以德、执两用中的政治思想，兼爱非攻、亲仁善邻的和平志向，以和为贵、和而不同的和谐理念，推己及人、立己达人的待人之道，为中国特色大国外交理论与实践提供了宝贵的精神财富。
其次，这要归功于中国国家的实力。中国文化影响力的持久提升，与中国经济的高速发展密不可分。“虎踞龙盘今胜昔，天翻地覆慨而慷”。改革开放三十多年来，中国经济总量跃升至世界第二位，对世界经济增长的年均贡献率超过30%，是世界经济增长的重要引擎。中国为引领全球治理贡献中国智慧、中国方案。半个月前刚刚闭幕的“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛取得丰硕成果。习近平主席指出要牢牢坚持共商、共建、共享，让政策沟通、设施联通、贸易畅通、资金融通、民心相通成为共同努力的目标，将“一带一路”建成和平、繁荣、开放、创新、文明之路，得到与会方积极回应。中国同与会国家和国际组织签署了几十份合作文件，确立了未来一段时间的重点领域和路径。中国在对接政策和发展战略、推进经济走廊建设、加强重大项目合作、加大资金支持等方面提出了多项新举措，体现了中国担当，发出了时代强音。
第三，这要归功于中加关系的活力。加纳是撒哈拉以南非洲第二个同中国建交的国家。建交56年来，中加传统友谊不断巩固，各领域合作成效显著，为两国人民带来了实实在在的福祉。加纳是中国在非洲的重要发展伙伴，近年双边贸易额和中国对加投资在全非位居前列。目前，中方正在与加新政府加强对接，加强沟通，加强治国理政经验交流，加强对未来重点合作项目规划。与之相呼应，中加人文交往日渐活跃，两国文化、教育、体育、旅游、新闻与媒体、学者与智库、青年、妇女等领域交流态势喜人，不断深化双方人民的相互了解。越来越多的加纳朋友热衷学习汉语，赴华留学经商。加纳大学中文专业即将设立第一个汉语教学硕士点，这在非洲将是首创之举，对加纳未来汉语教学发展意义重大。国之交在民相亲，民相亲在心相知。“未之见而亲焉，可以往矣；久而不忘焉，可以来矣。”不知这是不是海岸角大学同湖南城市学院交往的写照？
老师们、同学们，女士们、先生们，
当今时代，世界各国日益成为你中有我、我中有你的利益共同体和命运共同体。文明交流互鉴的大趋势、中国与各国合作共赢的大潮流，为孔子学院发展带来难得历史机遇和广阔发展空间。
人类已经有了几千年的文明史，任何一个国家、一个民族都是在承先启后、继往开来中走到今天的，世界是在人类各种文明交流交融中成为今天这个样子的。从不同文明中寻求智慧、汲取营养，为人们提供精神支撑和心灵慰藉，携手解决人类共同面临的各种挑战。2014年3月，习近平主席在联合国教科文组织总部的演讲中就指出，“文明因交流而多彩，文明因互鉴而丰富。文明交流互鉴，是推动人类文明进步和世界和平发展的重要动力”。上个月，习近平主席在“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛开幕式演讲中强调，我们要将“一带一路”建成文明之路。“一带一路”建设要以文明交流超越文明隔阂、文明互鉴超越文明冲突、文明共存超越文明优越，推动各国相互理解、相互尊重、相互信任。
中国领导人高度重视孔院建设，提出孔子学院要以“创新、合作、包容、共享”为努力方向，深化教师、教材、教学法改革创新，拓展办学功能，提高办学质量，实现内涵发展。要发挥中外合作高校的积极性，完善机制建设，促进合作办学深度融合。要推动孔子学院本土化发展，坚持开门办学，推动文明互学互鉴。要主动服务于“一带一路”建设战略，努力惠及各国人民，为促进多元多彩文明发展作出新贡献。
对成立仅一年的海岸角大学孔子学院而言，实现这样的宏图无疑任重道远。为者常成，行者常至。路是走出来的，事业是干出来的。共同的事业需要共同的努力。我衷心祝愿海岸角大学孔院办学水平不断提升到新的高度，坚信“明年春色倍还人”。
谢谢大家！