Latest news with #ConfuciusInstitute
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Young Aleah shows off linguistic talent
AT just eight years old, Virginia resident Aleah Ramouthar has shown off a natural aptitude for learning and speaking Mandarin. The Grade Three learner at Glenashley Junior Primary recently placed second in the country at the fifth 'Chinese Bridge' Chinese Show for Primary School Students competition in Cape Town. Incredibly, she only started learning Mandarin in February this year. Also read: Durban North resident shapes bodyboarding journey She was recommended by the Confucius Institute at Durban University of Technology and the competition saw Aleah recite a poem, as well as share her journey and love for the Mandarin language and culture. Besides showcasing her linguistic talents, Aleah was also the youngest contestant at the competition. 'I'm very happy with my results. I had a three-minute speech which I memorised and learnt with my teacher. I gave a self-introduction, spoke about how I started learning Mandarin and I told the judges how much I love Chinese culture, especially the outfits. My goal is to enter next year and hopefully go all the way,' she said. Aleah was inspired by her teacher Vivian Zeng, who works for the Confucius Institute based at DUT. 'Last year my niece, Mahi Roopchund, placed first in this very same competition. I taught her privately and also gave a demo at her school, Glenashley Junior Primary. Because of that they asked if I would consider extra-murals. That's how it started and Aleah's mother signed her up for the classes. She has shown how talented she is, especially as she only started learning Mandarin recently,' Zeng said. Also read: Glen Hills church stitches for charitable causes Aleah's mother Diana said this experience has transformed her daughter. 'Aleah is one of three and she is a very shy young girl. We were just amazed when we heard her speaking on stage and reciting a poem on stage so confidently. She is certainly the first in the family to learn another language other than Afrikaans and English. I think Vivian's demo really inspired Aleah because she came home with a registration form. She was so persistent that she wanted to learn Mandarin and I actually signed her up on the day the first lesson was taught. We are so proud of her and we are grateful to Vivian who also inspired her and encouraged her to take part,' she said. For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Borneo Post
10-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
How Kiswahili builds cultural bridge between China, Tanzania
Legonga (second right) helps Chinese students study Kiswahili in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania on July 4, 2025. – Xinhua photo DAR ES SALAAM (July 11): On a quiet morning, inside a sunlit classroom at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, a group of Chinese teachers was reciting Kiswahili greetings. 'Habari za asubuhi,' one said, smiling. 'Nzuri sana,' responded another. This simple exchange, 'good morning' and 'very good', is more than just a language lesson. It represents a growing movement of cultural curiosity, mutual respect, and educational exchange between China and Tanzania. As the international community marked World Kiswahili Language Day on Monday, the spirit of this day came vividly alive at the Confucius Institute of Tanzania's largest university, where Chinese nationals were embracing Kiswahili not just as a language but as a gateway to understanding local life. Kiswahili, also known as Swahili language, is one of Africa's most widely spoken languages, serving as a lingua franca across East and Central Africa. The General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), at its 41st session held in Paris, France, in 2021, proclaimed July 7 of each year as World Kiswahili Language Day, making it the first African language to be recognised in such a manner by the UN. Yang Xin, a Chinese language teacher at the Confucius Institute, said learning Kiswahili has been both a challenge and a necessity. 'At first, I couldn't understand anything,' she recalled. 'But thanks to the Confucius Institute, I started learning. It helps me adapt to life here and connect with people.' Zou Zhenzhen, another Chinese teacher, echoed that sentiment. 'Even using just a few Kiswahili words in class makes a difference. It shows students we respect their culture, and it makes them more excited to learn Chinese. You can see it on their faces.' Their approach is simple yet effective: to ask for help, practice outside of class, and apply what you've learned when shopping, riding taxis, or simply chatting with colleagues. 'Now I can order food, talk to a taxi driver, and even joke with friends. Language breaks the ice,' Zou beamed with a smile. Zhang being interviewed in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania on July 4, 2025. – Xinhua photo Both Chinese teachers have been learning Kiswahili for the past two months, attending two two-hour sessions on Sundays. The impact of Kiswahili fluency goes beyond the classroom. According to Emmanuel Legonga, a local Tanzanian Chinese language teacher at the Confucius Institute, who also teaches Kiswahili to overseas Chinese in Tanzania, speaking the local language has practical ripple effects across industries. 'In infrastructure projects like railways and ports, when Chinese managers or engineers use Kiswahili, it builds trust with local workers,' Legonga explained. 'It removes the sense of distance. Workers feel seen, respected.' This is especially important in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, where large-scale collaboration between Chinese and Tanzanian professionals is vital. 'Language opens the door to transparency. It reduces misunderstandings and builds confidence,' he added. Legonga was elated when he revealed that one of his Kiswahili students is Zhang Xiaozhen, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam. In Zhang's eyes, interest in Kiswahili among Chinese nationals is steadily rising. 'In our last session, over 70 Chinese joined Kiswahili classes. This year, nearly 90 are enrolled,' she noted. 'Some start learning in China, others after they arrive. About 20 Chinese teachers have studied Kiswahili.' Zhang herself studies Kiswahili whenever her schedule allows. 'Language is a bridge. It connects people. And Kiswahili is becoming more important, not just in East Africa but globally,' she said. Zhang has identified strong cultural parallels between China and Tanzania. 'Tanzania's concept of Ujamaa, cooperation, and community echoes China's collectivist values. In both cultures, family and harmony are central,' she remarked. Chinese students attend a Kiswahili language class at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania on July 4, 2025. – Xinhua photo As Mussa Hans, Tanzanian director of the Confucius Institute, prepared to commemorate this year's World Kiswahili Language Day, he reflected on the institute's broader mission. 'We don't just teach language; we build relationships,' he said. 'We promote both Chinese and Kiswahili so that our people can understand each other better.' The vision is simple but profound: a future where the Chinese director speaks fluent Kiswahili and the Tanzanian director speaks Chinese. 'There should be no language barrier between our countries,' he said. 'Whether you are going from China to Tanzania or vice versa, learn Kiswahili, learn Chinese.' – Xinhua China Kiswahili language Tanzania University of Dar es Salaam Xinhua
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
CGTN: Beauty in diversity: How wisdom at Nishan Forum inspires global modernization
BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 10 July 2025 - As the 11th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations takes place in east China's Qufu City, CGTN published an article highlighting the importance of dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations to promote harmonious coexistence, shared prosperity, and the safeguarding of traditional values in the face of modern challenges. 'Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?' This opening question and well-known saying from the Analects of Confucius has been transformed into a vivid reality as experts and scholars from across the world gathered at the 11th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations in east China's Qufu City. The forum is named after Nishan Mountain, formerly known as the Ni Qiu Hill, about 30 kilometers southeast of Qufu – the birthplace of the great Chinese thinker and educator Confucius (551-479 BC). Since its first edition in 2010, the forum has become a platform for understanding China and fostering international cultural and civilizational exchanges. Taking place from Wednesday to Thursday, the 11th Nishan Forum attracted more than 500 global leaders, scholars and cultural figures to explore the role of ancient wisdom in shaping the modern world with the theme of 'Beauty in Diversity: Nurturing Understanding Among Civilizations for Global Modernization.' Understanding among civilizations highlighted Scholars at the forum underscored the essential role that cultural exchange and mutual learning among civilizations play in advancing human progress. Noting armed conflicts have resurfaced in today's turbulent world, Madagascar's Ambassador to China Jean Louis Robinson spoke highly of the forum, saying that its role in promoting harmonious coexistence and shared prosperity among diverse cultures and civilizations has become all the more significant. China-proposed Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) won praise from foreign participants. In March 2023, China introduced the GCI, which calls for respect for global civilizational diversity, the promotion of shared human values, the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and the strengthening of international cultural exchanges. Hussain Mohamed Latheef, vice president of the Republic of Maldives, described the GCI as a timely reminder of the need to respect and understand diverse cultures worldwide. 'The initiative promotes shared human values, aims to balance tradition with innovation, and supports cultural exchange and development,' Latheef added. Some of the experts spoke highly of the influence of Confucianism, which is known for its five key concepts, namely benevolence, or 'ren' in Chinese, righteousness, or 'yi,' propriety, 'li,' wisdom, 'zhi,' and trustworthiness, 'xin.' Dr Salome Nyambura, director of the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University, told CGTN that close people-to-people exchanges between China and Kenya have made more Kenyans interested in Confucianism. Echoing Nyambura, Riccardo Pozzo, professor of History of Philosophy at Tor Vergata University of Rome, said that Confucianism can provide valuable solutions to bridge traditional and modern issues and solve modern problems, citing the saying from the Analects that 'If a man keeps cherishing his old knowledge and continually acquires new knowledge, he may become a teacher to others.' Global modernization deeply rooted in fertile soil of civilizations As well as fueling academic dialogue and people-to-people connections, exchanges among civilizations are also expected to generate valuable insights to tackle global challenges and open up diverse pathways for modernization. China is committed to offering new opportunities to the world through the achievements of its unique path to modernization, and providing new momentum to global partners through its vast domestic market, Sun Chunlan, president of the International Confucian Association, said when addressing the opening of the forum. China's poverty alleviation efforts and global cooperation on poverty reduction have provided relevant examples, demonstrating that the development of civilization should be 'people-oriented' and that the fruits of development can benefit more groups. Wang Xuedian, vice president of the International Confucian Association, said that civilizations must engage in dialogue and mutual learning to explore development paths that align with their own cultural contexts. By drawing on advanced productive forces and promoting traditional values, different civilizations can bridge developmental gaps and realize the common prosperity and harmonious coexistence of multiple civilizations, Wang added. As for Latheef, humanity must work together to safeguard cultural traditions and values while embracing new ideas and changes to adapt to global modernization. Roger T. Ames, professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Hawaii and Humanities Chair Professor at Peking University, said that the urgent task is to transform individualism into a conscious awareness of a united global community, adding that the Confucian values of fairness, inclusiveness and harmony offer valuable guidance for addressing the pressing challenges of the modern world.
Arabian Post
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Arabian Post
CGTN: Beauty in diversity: How wisdom at Nishan Forum inspires global modernization
BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 July 2025 – As the 11th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations takes place in east China's Qufu City, CGTN published an article highlighting the importance of dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations to promote harmonious coexistence, shared prosperity, and the safeguarding of traditional values in the face of modern challenges. 'Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?' This opening question and well-known saying from the Analects of Confucius has been transformed into a vivid reality as experts and scholars from across the world gathered at the 11th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations in east China's Qufu City. The forum is named after Nishan Mountain, formerly known as the Ni Qiu Hill, about 30 kilometers southeast of Qufu – the birthplace of the great Chinese thinker and educator Confucius (551-479 BC). Since its first edition in 2010, the forum has become a platform for understanding China and fostering international cultural and civilizational exchanges. ADVERTISEMENT Taking place from Wednesday to Thursday, the 11th Nishan Forum attracted more than 500 global leaders, scholars and cultural figures to explore the role of ancient wisdom in shaping the modern world with the theme of 'Beauty in Diversity: Nurturing Understanding Among Civilizations for Global Modernization.' Understanding among civilizations highlighted Scholars at the forum underscored the essential role that cultural exchange and mutual learning among civilizations play in advancing human progress. Noting armed conflicts have resurfaced in today's turbulent world, Madagascar's Ambassador to China Jean Louis Robinson spoke highly of the forum, saying that its role in promoting harmonious coexistence and shared prosperity among diverse cultures and civilizations has become all the more significant. China-proposed Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) won praise from foreign participants. In March 2023, China introduced the GCI, which calls for respect for global civilizational diversity, the promotion of shared human values, the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and the strengthening of international cultural exchanges. ADVERTISEMENT Hussain Mohamed Latheef, vice president of the Republic of Maldives, described the GCI as a timely reminder of the need to respect and understand diverse cultures worldwide. 'The initiative promotes shared human values, aims to balance tradition with innovation, and supports cultural exchange and development,' Latheef added. Some of the experts spoke highly of the influence of Confucianism, which is known for its five key concepts, namely benevolence, or 'ren' in Chinese, righteousness, or 'yi,' propriety, 'li,' wisdom, 'zhi,' and trustworthiness, 'xin.' Dr Salome Nyambura, director of the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University, told CGTN that close people-to-people exchanges between China and Kenya have made more Kenyans interested in Confucianism. Echoing Nyambura, Riccardo Pozzo, professor of History of Philosophy at Tor Vergata University of Rome, said that Confucianism can provide valuable solutions to bridge traditional and modern issues and solve modern problems, citing the saying from the Analects that 'If a man keeps cherishing his old knowledge and continually acquires new knowledge, he may become a teacher to others.' Global modernization deeply rooted in fertile soil of civilizations As well as fueling academic dialogue and people-to-people connections, exchanges among civilizations are also expected to generate valuable insights to tackle global challenges and open up diverse pathways for modernization. China is committed to offering new opportunities to the world through the achievements of its unique path to modernization, and providing new momentum to global partners through its vast domestic market, Sun Chunlan, president of the International Confucian Association, said when addressing the opening of the forum. China's poverty alleviation efforts and global cooperation on poverty reduction have provided relevant examples, demonstrating that the development of civilization should be 'people-oriented' and that the fruits of development can benefit more groups. Wang Xuedian, vice president of the International Confucian Association, said that civilizations must engage in dialogue and mutual learning to explore development paths that align with their own cultural contexts. By drawing on advanced productive forces and promoting traditional values, different civilizations can bridge developmental gaps and realize the common prosperity and harmonious coexistence of multiple civilizations, Wang added. As for Latheef, humanity must work together to safeguard cultural traditions and values while embracing new ideas and changes to adapt to global modernization. Roger T. Ames, professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Hawaii and Humanities Chair Professor at Peking University, said that the urgent task is to transform individualism into a conscious awareness of a united global community, adding that the Confucian values of fairness, inclusiveness and harmony offer valuable guidance for addressing the pressing challenges of the modern world. Hashtag: #CGTN The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The Star
07-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Feature: How Kiswahili is building a cultural bridge between China, Tanzania
DAR ES SALAAM, July 7 (Xinhua) -- On a quiet morning, inside a sunlit classroom at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, a group of Chinese teachers was reciting Kiswahili greetings. "Habari za asubuhi," one said, smiling. "Nzuri sana," responded another. This simple exchange, "good morning" and "very good," is more than just a language lesson. It represents a growing movement of cultural curiosity, mutual respect, and educational exchange between China and Tanzania. As the international community marked World Kiswahili Language Day on Monday, the spirit of this day came vividly alive at the Confucius Institute of Tanzania's largest university, where Chinese nationals were embracing Kiswahili not just as a language but as a gateway to understanding local life. Kiswahili, also known as Swahili language, is one of Africa's most widely spoken languages, serving as a lingua franca across East and Central Africa. The General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), at its 41st session held in Paris, France, in 2021, proclaimed July 7 of each year as World Kiswahili Language Day, making it the first African language to be recognized in such a manner by the UN. Yang Xin, a Chinese language teacher at the Confucius Institute, said learning Kiswahili has been both a challenge and a necessity. "At first, I couldn't understand anything," she recalled. "But thanks to the Confucius Institute, I started learning. It helps me adapt to life here and connect with people." Zou Zhenzhen, another Chinese teacher, echoed that sentiment. "Even using just a few Kiswahili words in class makes a difference. It shows students we respect their culture, and it makes them more excited to learn Chinese. You can see it on their faces." Their approach is simple yet effective: to ask for help, practice outside of class, and apply what you've learned when shopping, riding taxis, or simply chatting with colleagues. "Now I can order food, talk to a taxi driver, and even joke with friends. Language breaks the ice," Zou beamed with a smile. Both Chinese teachers have been learning Kiswahili for the past two months, attending two two-hour sessions on Sundays. The impact of Kiswahili fluency goes beyond the classroom. According to Emmanuel Legonga, a local Tanzanian Chinese language teacher at the Confucius Institute, who also teaches Kiswahili to overseas Chinese in Tanzania, speaking the local language has practical ripple effects across industries. "In infrastructure projects like railways and ports, when Chinese managers or engineers use Kiswahili, it builds trust with local workers," Legonga explained. "It removes the sense of distance. Workers feel seen, respected." This is especially important in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, where large-scale collaboration between Chinese and Tanzanian professionals is vital. "Language opens the door to transparency. It reduces misunderstandings and builds confidence," he added. Legonga was elated when he revealed that one of his Kiswahili students is Zhang Xiaozhen, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam. In Zhang's eyes, interest in Kiswahili among Chinese nationals is steadily rising. "In our last session, over 70 Chinese joined Kiswahili classes. This year, nearly 90 are enrolled," she noted. "Some start learning in China, others after they arrive. About 20 Chinese teachers have studied Kiswahili." Zhang herself studies Kiswahili whenever her schedule allows. "Language is a bridge. It connects people. And Kiswahili is becoming more important, not just in East Africa but globally," she said. Zhang has identified strong cultural parallels between China and Tanzania. "Tanzania's concept of Ujamaa, cooperation, and community echoes China's collectivist values. In both cultures, family and harmony are central," she remarked. As Mussa Hans, Tanzanian director of the Confucius Institute, prepared to commemorate this year's World Kiswahili Language Day, he reflected on the institute's broader mission. "We don't just teach language; we build relationships," he said. "We promote both Chinese and Kiswahili so that our people can understand each other better." The vision is simple but profound: a future where the Chinese director speaks fluent Kiswahili and the Tanzanian director speaks Chinese. "There should be no language barrier between our countries," he said. "Whether you are going from China to Tanzania or vice versa, learn Kiswahili, learn Chinese."
