Hunan Normal University, Changsha, May 30, 2007: The Confucius Institute at Kazan State University, the first Confucius Institute which is co-established by Hunan Normal University abroad, was inaugurated at Kazan State University, which is located in the ancient and picturesque city Kazan, Russian. Those who attended the unveiling ceremony were Professor Liu Xiangrong, President of HNU, Professor Salakhov, President of Kazan University, Professor Jiang Hongxin, Vice-president of HNU, and other guests from the Chinese Embassy in Russia and the Republic of Tatarstan. During the unveiling ceremony, Professor Liu Xiangrong delivered an ardent speech. In his address, he congratulated the inauguration of the first Confucius Institute of HNU and held that the official establishment of the first Confucius Institute symbolized a big stride in HNU’s foreign affairs. At the same time, Professor Liu hoped the two universities make the concerted effort to establish a unique and influential Confucius Institute, which is mutually taken as the friendship channel between two peoples from China and Russia. Professor Salakhov and other Russian representatives addressed the ceremony successively and agreed on the significance of the establishment of the Confucius Institute in the light of improving Sino-Russia culture communication, expressing jointly their resolution of the establishment of the Confucius Institute.

Translated by: Li Qianjin