On April 25, the Chinese Embassy in Liberia and the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia jointly held the “2022 International Chinese Language Day Online Symposium on Chinese Language Education in West Africa”. Ambassador Ren Yisheng attended the symposium and delivered a speech, and Political Counselor Xu Kun from the embassy was present. More than 50 people participated in the symposium including Madam Yaba Thompson, Assistant Minister for International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, Hon. Kwame O. Weeks, Director General of Liberia News Agency, Dr. Julius J. S. Nelson, Jr., President of the University of Liberia, foreign and Chinese directors and representatives of Confucius Institutes in Liberia, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria and Sierra Leone and other West African countries, and representatives of NGOs and media. 

In his speech, Ambassador Ren expressed his appreciation to the teachers and volunteers of Confucius Institutes in African countries who have devoted themselves to spreading Chinese culture over the years, and expounded on the positive significance of Chinese culture in consolidating the forces of world peace, promoting China-Africa, China-Liberia pragmatic cooperation and mutual learning among world civilizations. Ambassador Ren said that all countries should abandon cultural and ideological differences and play an active role in maintaining world peace and cultural diversity exchanges and mutual learning. He hoped that African and Liberian students will enhance mutual understanding and friendship between China and Africa and China and Liberia by mastering Chinese language and culture, and make new contributions to world peace and the benefit of the people. Under the framework of the "Nine Programs" of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the joint construction of the "Belt and Road", China is willing to promote people-to-people bonds with all parties including Liberia, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and contribute to the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future for mankind.

Dr. Nelson and Director General Weeks delivered speeches respectively. They thanked China for its long-term contribution to promoting the economic and social development of Liberia, appreciated the role of the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia as a bridge in promoting Liberia-China friendship and pragmatic cooperation, and expressed their willingness to promote the implementation of the Bachelor of Arts program for Chinese majors at the University of Liberia, and continue to write a new chapter in the traditional friendship between Liberia and China.

Foreign directors and teacher representatives of Confucius Institutes in Liberia, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and other West African countries shared their experiences, achievements and challenges in Chinese language teaching and dissemination of Chinese culture, and  interacted with the participants. 

The foreign guests commended China's great development achievements, spoke highly of the achievements of Africa-China pragmatic cooperation in various fields and the friendship between the African and Chinese peoples, and expressed that they will continue to work hard to promote Chinese language teaching and Chinese culture dissemination to help the development of Africa-China friendly cooperative relations.

The atmosphere of the seminar was warm and friendly. The teachers and students of the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia presented splendid performances such as singing and dancing, martial arts, speeches, and chorus online. 

The Liberia National News Agency, “Heritage”, “News” and other local mainstream media reported the event together with Ambassador Ren’s speech.