Books Bridge Mountains and Seas, Building Dreams in Education: “CEPMG Bookshelf” Lands at the Confucius Institute of Universidad Santo Tomás in Chile

2025-03-08 00:00:00
中国新书(英文版) 2025年1期

On November 11, China Education Publishing amp; Media Group (CEPMG) successfully hosted the unveiling ceremony of the “CEPMG Bookshelf” at the Confucius Institute of Universidad Santo Tomás (UST) in the Guest of Honor Pavilion at the Chile Book Fair. Distinguished attendees included Niu Qingbao, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of China to Chile; Feng Yunsheng, chairman of CEPMG; Huang Qiang, president of the People’s Education Press; Zhang Lina, vice president of Higher Education Press; Ricardo Lagos Sanhueza, principal of UST’s Santiago Campus; Lilian Espinoza, foreign director of the UST Confucius Institute; and Song Xiaorong, chinese director of the UST Confucius Institute.

The “CEPMG Bookshelf” is a global cultural promotion initiative established in collaboration with Confucius Institutes worldwide. CEPMG provides free book resources and sets up dedicated bookshelves within Confucius Institutes, facilitating access to Chinese books for local students and teachers. The program also organizes cultural exchange activities, serving as a model for learning Chinese and promoting Chinese culture. The “CEPMG Bookshelf” at UST’s Confucius Institute marks the fifth of its kind globally, following installations in Malaysia, Thailand, Egypt, and Türkiye. The donated books span a range of topics, including humanities and social sciences, science and technology, traditional culture, children’s picture books, and language learning.

In his remarks, Ambassador Niu Qingbao emphasized that cultural exchanges play a foundational role in strengthening relations between China and Chile by fostering mutual understanding among peoples. He highlighted the importance of collaboration in the book publishing sector for advancing cultural exchange between China and Latin America. CEPMG, as a leading publishing group in China’s education sector, has significant influence, competitiveness, and authority. The unveiling of the “CEPMG Bookshelf” is a highlight of the 43rd Santiago International Book Fair and China’s Guest of Honor events. Ambassador Niu expressed confidence that the project would enrich the knowledge resources of the UST Confucius Institute, strengthen the dissemination of Chinese culture in Chile, and create new opportunities for cooperation in cultural and educational publishing.

Feng Yunsheng noted that the “CEPMG Bookshelf” at UST’s Confucius Institute aims to provide high-quality Chinese learning experiences, enriched academic resources, and broader cultural perspectives for students and teachers. He expressed hopes for strengthened collaboration between China and Chile. First, deepening cooperation in Chinese language teacher training, research on educational theories, and the development of teaching materials and resources. Second, promoting innovation by integrating digital technology with education, including building resource platforms and databases. Third, enhancing cultural exchanges and mutual learning through a series of cultural activities, inspiring Chilean students and the public to learn Chinese and appreciate Chinese culture.

Ricardo Lagos Sanhueza remarked that the “CEPMG Bookshelf” would be an invaluable resource for students, scholars, and anyone interested in gaining deeper insights into China. He expressed gratitude for the donation, noting that it strengthened ties between the two nations and inspired further efforts to bridge the gap between China and Chile, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.

The establishment of the “CEPMG Bookshelf” at UST’s Confucius Institute provides local students and teachers with a vital window into China. It represents a new exploration in China’s efforts to promote Chinese culture globally and a practical step toward building an effective international communication framework. This initiative contributes to educational exchange and collaboration between China and Chile, deepens mutual understanding, and injects fresh vitality into the friendly relationship between the two nations.