The renewal of the cooperation agreement of the Confucius Institute at the University of Lisbon in Portugal and the awarding ceremony of the "Global Model Confucius Institute" were held online and on site on June 13.

The following officials delivered speeches at the meeting: Portuguese Ambassador to China Paulo Jorge Nascimento, Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Zhao Bentang, Vice President and Secretary General of China International Foundation for Chinese Language Education Zhao Lingshan, President of University of Lisbon Luis Ferreira, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Tianjin Municipal People's Government and First Level Inspector Zhao Jianling, Deputy Secretary of the Education Working Committee of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee Liu Yiman, Secretary of the Party Committee Zhou Honglei and President Chen Fachun of Tianjin Foreign Studies University.

Ambassador Nascimento pointed out that since the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of Lisbon in Portugal in 2008, Tianjin Foreign Studies University has been shouldering the teaching of Chinese and Chinese culture in the Confucius Institute. Over the past 15 years, the cooperative relationship between the two schools has flourished, providing Portuguese students with the opportunity to learn Chinese and gain exposure to Chinese culture. 

It is the duty of all countries to carry out international cooperation for common interests, which is in line with the strong desire of people of all countries.  The cooperation of the Confucius Institute at the University of Lisbon is conducive to promoting Portugal-China relations, enhancing their friendship and hoping to make more contributions to the development of cooperation between the two countries in the future, he added.

Zhao Lingshan pointed out that Tianjin Foreign Studies University and University of Lisbon have made important contributions to the education development of the two countries. The establishment of Confucius Institutes is an important achievement in the field of educational exchanges and cooperation between China and Portugal. Since its establishment 15 years ago, the Confucius Institute at the University of Lisbon has made great efforts in the field of Chinese language teaching and cultural exchanges between China and Portugal. 

It trained many students in Portugal, and gradually formed a unique teaching and exchange program. The award of the title of "Global Model Confucius Institute" to the Confucius Institute of the University of Lisbon is a new starting point for the development of a new achievement in the cooperation between China and Portugal in the field of education. It is believed that the Confucius Institute at the University of Lisbon will strive to become a demonstration center for Chinese language teaching in Portugal and a training center for Chinese language talents and teachers, Zhao added.

President of University of Lisbon Luis Ferreira, and President of Tianjin Foreign Studies University Chen Fachun, unanimously stated in their speeches that they will fully support the construction and development of the Confucius Institute at Lisbon University in the future, give play to the leading role of the model Confucius Institute, and promote the communication between Chinese and Portuguese people, the mutual learning of civilizations, exchanges and cooperation.

At the ceremony, Zhao Lingshan, Luis Ferreira and Chen Fachun renewed the agreement of tripartite cooperation to jointly build the Confucius Institute at University of Lisbon. Zhao Lingshan awarded the "Global Model Confucius Institute" at the scene. The Portuguese president  of the Confucius Institute at the University of Lisbon Joao Barreiros and the Chinese president Wang Jincheng received the license.