Peking University, May 25, 2014: Between May 19 and May 22, a delegation headed by Wang Enge, president of Peking University (PKU), paid a visit to three Israel universities. The delegation attended the inauguration of the Confucius Institute co-organized by PKU and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The inaugural ceremony was held on May 19. Liu Yandong, vice premier of China, unveiled the new Confucius Institute and delivered a congratulatory speech. Chinese officials and over 300 local representatives presented at the ceremony.

The Unveiling Ceremony of the Confucius Institute of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Back in May, 2013, the Hebrew University and the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) signed a Protocol for the Establishment of the Confucius Institute, witnessed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

On February 20, 2014, PKU and the Hebrew University signed the Executive Protocol for the Co-Establishment of the Confucius Institute of the Hebrew University, which is the 10th Confucius Institute co-organized by PKU and a foreign university. The institute will focus on the studies of the traditional and contemporary Chinese culture and society, the translation of Chinese literature and the online open courses on Chinese language.

After the unveiling ceremony, Wang Enge met with Ben Sasson, president of the Hebrew University. Wang gave a sketch of the latest development in the university such as the projects of the PKU International Hospital and the Yenching Academy. He said that both of the universities excelled in disciplines such as Sinology, Medicine and Entrepreneurial Innovation and the cooperation between the two institutes concerning these key disciplines would be fruitful. Sasson agreed that the two universities had a lot in common and said that the establishment of the Confucius Institute would help more Israel citizens to get a better understanding of China.

In addition, Wang held an informal meeting with the eight PKU students who were studying at the Hebrew University as exchange students. Wang acknowledged the students’ contributions to the inaugural ceremony and encouraged them to make full of the opportunity of overseas exchange.

The delegation also visited the Israel Institute of Technology on May 20 and the Tel Aviv University on May 21.

Written by: Chen Jiayu

Edited by: He Jianfeng