In the afternoon of February 7 (local time), State Councilor Chen Zhili attended the plaque unveiling ceremony of the Confucius Institute at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), the first Confucius Institute in Canada.

In her address, Chen said that language is not only a tool of communication but also a carrier of culture. The initiation of educating each other's languages is an effective means for both sides to know, understand, and even like each other's cultures. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the English language teaching in China. English has become the most popular foreign language in China with the largest number of learners and users. There are 39 institutes of higher learning and 307 middle schools that have established Chinese language courses in Canada. This is a good reflection of the aspirations of Canadians to learn Chinese and know more about China. Confucius is a well-known philosopher and educator of ancient China, whose educational philosophy exerted profound influence over the education in China. The establishment of the first Confucius institute in Canada will provide better learning conditions for Canadians wishing to learn Chinese and meet the expectations of the Canadian people to strengthen understanding about China. The institute will become an important bridge and link to connect the two peoples and promote cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries.

Chen believed that the friendship between the two peoples and the mutually beneficial exchanges between the two sides are long lasting. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 36 years ago, bilateral relations have witnessed substantive progress. During President Hu Jintao's visit to Canada last September, China and Canada established strategic partnership, opening broader space for bilateral cooperation in various fields.

After the address, Chen Zhili and Ms. Bond, Deputy Premier of British Columbia, unveiled the plaque for the Confucius Institute.

The first Confucius institute in the world was established in Seoul, the Republic of Korea on November 21, 2004. It is said that the Confucius institute is more than a college in its general sense. It is an institute aimed at promoting the Chinese language education and cultural exchanges. The related Chinese agencies will open 100 Confucius institutes in the world in recent years in collaboration with foreign partners.

The first Confucius institute in Canada is located at BCIT. It has already set up six courses including Chinese Business Fundamentals.