The Confucius Institute co-founded by the University of Guyana (UG) and Dalian University of Foreign Languages (DUFL) was officially inaugurated on May 19, 2014. His Excellency Zhang Limin, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Culture Frank Anthony, Vice Chancellor of UG President of DUFL and over 100 people from diplomatic corps, Chinese community and companies, media organizations attended the ceremony. Ambassador Zhang and President Ramotar made remarks and unveiled the plaque for the Confucius Institute.
Ambassador Zhang pointed out that China has a long history and splendid culture. The Confucius Institute at UG provides a bridge for cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between China and Guyana. Quoting President Xi Jinping as saying that “Civilizations have become richer and more colorful with exchanges and mutual learning”, Ambassador Zhang wished that the Confucius Institute will be a platform for strengthening exchanges and mutual learning between Guyanese and Chinese cultures, so that they could deeply integrate, add radiance and beauty to each other, and bloom with more dazzling brilliance.
President Ramotar said that Confucius was a great thinker whose doctrine still has far-reaching influence on international relations and the relations between nations and cultures. Being one of the most powerful countries in the world, China has made great-leap-forward development especially since the adoption of reform and opening-up policy and played a significant role in addressing the global financial crisis. Chinese people have made important contributions to the social and economic development of Guyana since their arrival 160 years ago. Guyana highly values the friendly relations with China in political, economic, cultural and other fields. He hoped that the Confucius Institute could play a positive role in promoting mutual understanding between two peoples and integration of diversified cultures.
Chinese song, poem and Taichi Boxing performed by the students of UG and the Confucius Institute won warm applause. The ceremony was also reported by Guyana Chronicle, Stabroek News.