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ABOUT US

The Confucius Institute is a non-profit educational network dedicated to meeting the growing global demand for Chinese language learning. It seeks to enhance the understanding of Chinese language and culture, foster educational and cultural exchanges, and strengthen cooperation between China and other countries. The Institute aims to promote multiculturalism, deepen international friendships, and contribute to the development of a harmonious world. Its headquarters are located in Beijing,?under the?Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (ÖÐÍâÓïÑÔ½»Á÷ºÏ×÷ÖÐÐÄ).

The Institute is named after Confucius (551¨C479 BC), a distinguished Chinese philosopher and thinker, commonly known as?Kongzi (¿××Ó)?in Chinese. His educational and philosophical ideas have had a profound and lasting influence on Chinese and East Asian thought and culture. His teachings, which reflect his political views, ethical principles, moral values, and educational philosophy, were compiled by his disciples into a collection known as the?Analects of Confucius (Õ“ÕZ), long after his passing.

Confucius emphasised the critical role of moral education and the establishment of ethics as the cornerstone of good governance. He believed that an ideal society could be achieved through education and moral persuasion, rather than through laws, regulations, and penal codes, which were becoming increasingly prevalent in his era. Confucius recognised the importance of family and kinship relations, friendship, and respect for elders and teachers. Despite living in a time of social unrest and political strife among competing rulers, his teachings advocated for mutual tolerance and the role of rituals in fostering unity and harmony within the community.

CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY (CIUC)

The Confucius Institute at the ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï (CIUC) is part of the global network of Confucius Institutes. It is jointly managed by the ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï in New ÍøÆسԹÏand Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China. Officially launched on 1 November 2009 by then Chinese Vice Premier LI Keqiang, CIUC was the second Confucius Institute established in New ÍøÆسԹÏand the first on the South Island. As Vice Premier Li noted at the launch, its establishment marked a significant milestone in the ongoing cultural and educational exchanges between China and New Zealand.

Following six months of planning and preparation, CIUC opened its purpose-designed and fully furnished premises to the public on 27 May 2010. Although the facilities were later damaged during the Christchurch earthquakes, they have since been fully refurbished and are once again open to the public,?continuing to serve as a multifaceted hub for Chinese language education and cultural engagement in the region.

CIUC¡®S GOALS

CIUC is committed to promoting mutual understanding, communication, and enduring friendship between the peoples of China and New ÍøÆسԹÏthrough high-quality Chinese language education, meaningful cultural exchange, and constructive academic and economic collaboration. As a comprehensive institutional platform, CIUC offers a variety of non-credit courses, programmes, and outreach initiatives, and administers internationally recognised Chinese proficiency tests, including the HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test), YCT (Youth Chinese Test), and BCT (Business Chinese Test). The Institute also functions as a resource centre, providing extensive educational materials and advisory services, while facilitating sustained cultural, academic, and economic exchange between China and New Zealand.