UJ Celebrates 10 Years of Confucius Institute and Hosts First Chinese Song Contest

The University of Johannesburg’s Confucius Institute (UJCI) marked an important milestone this week as it celebrated its 10th anniversary alongside the award ceremony of the first-ever Chinese Song Contest hosted at the institution. The event, held on 17 November 2025, brought together diplomats, university leaders, academics, students and cultural partners in a colourful afternoon that highlighted a decade of language learning, cultural exchange and academic cooperation between China and South Africa.

More than 200 people attended the celebration, filling the hall with excitement, music and a strong sense of partnership. Among the dignitaries was the Chinese Consul General in Johannesburg, Mr Pan Qingjiang, who delivered the keynote remarks. Also present were Professor Phaswana, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, Professor Gu Xuehong, Vice President of Nanjing Tech University in China, and the co-directors of the Confucius Institute. Teachers, guests, Chinese language learners and young performers completed the diverse audience.

In his address, Consul General Pan praised the Confucius Institute for its work over the past decade, saying it had become “a bridge of friendship” between the people of China and South Africa. He highlighted how the institute has expanded from offering basic language classes to becoming a hub for cultural programmes, academic exchanges, public lectures and community outreach. According to him, these efforts have supported mutual understanding and strengthened cooperation between the two countries.

He encouraged South African youth to continue embracing the Chinese language and to take advantage of the educational opportunities linked to China’s growing engagement with Africa. Pan noted that China’s modernization path, technological development and global role make cultural and linguistic skills increasingly valuable for young South Africans seeking careers in diplomacy, trade, tourism, technology and international relations.

Addressing the audience, university leaders expressed appreciation for the partnership with Chinese institutions, especially Nanjing Tech University, which co-runs the Confucius Institute at UJ. They emphasised that the past decade had laid a strong foundation for deeper collaboration in research, student exchanges, innovation projects and cultural programmes.

One of the highlights of the event was the award ceremony for the First Chinese Song Contest, which attracted enthusiastic participation from UJ students and local community members. Contestants performed a variety of popular Chinese songs, showcasing not only musical talent but also the effort they put into learning pronunciation, rhythm and expression in a foreign language. For many performers, it was their first time singing in Chinese in front of a large audience, and the crowd responded with loud applause, cheers and appreciation.

Speakers at the event said the contest symbolised the joy of cultural learning and the confidence of South African youth in engaging with the world. Organisers plan to make the Chinese Song Contest an annual event and hope it will encourage more students to explore the language through creative activities.

The ceremony ended with group performances, photo sessions and informal conversations between guests, students and teachers. Many attendees expressed excitement about the next decade of the Confucius Institute, saying it will continue opening doors for South Africans to connect with China through language, culture and shared opportunities.