On September 25, Ambassador Zhao Xiyuan and his wife attended a celebration marking the 20th anniversary of the Confucius Institute at University College Dublin (UCD). More than 200 guests from various sectors attended the event, including UCD President Orla Feely, former Ambassadors to China Declan Kelleher and Paul Kavanagh, as well as other distinguished guests. Ma Huaide, President of Renmin University of China, delivered a video address.

Ambassador Zhao said that the 20th anniversary marks an important milestone in the development of the Confucius Institute. Over the past 20 years, the Institute has made sustained efforts to advance international Chinese-language education, actively served as a bridge for dialogue among young people from China and Ireland, and made significant contributions to people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. He expressed the hope that the Institute would build on its achievements, continue to innovate and make further progress, contribute to mutual learning between Chinese and Irish civilizations, and help deepen friendly cooperation between the two countries.

President Feely said that education serves as a bridge connecting the hearts and minds of people. She noted that the Confucius Institute’s sustained efforts in Chinese-language education and the teaching of Chinese culture have helped bring the people of China and Ireland closer together.

At the celebration, the Confucius Institute officially launched its Primary School Chinese Language Education Programme, extending Chinese-language education and courses on Chinese culture to more young people in Ireland.