From November 9th to November 10th, the International Seminar on Contemporary Chinese Language Education was held in Kaifeng, Henan. Vice President Zhang Ligang of Henan University (HENU), Zhou Zhaoxia, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges, The Education Department Henan Province, and Ma Qianghe, Deputy Secretary-General of the Henan Education Association for International Exchange, attended the meeting.

Zhang Ligang introduced HENU’s history and its achievements and contributions in the field of international Chinese language education. Zhou Zhaoxia emphasized the critical role of international Chinese language education in spreading Chinese culture and promoting exchanges between China and other countries. She expressed hope that the seminar would inject new vitality into the international Chinese language education efforts in Henan Province and drive high-quality development in this field.

Following the opening ceremony, the seminar featured four keynote speeches on topics such as talent cultivation, marketization and trends in international Chinese language education. The keynote reports were chaired by Professor Li Xiangling, Dean of the International School for Chinese Language and Culture. Professor Liu Li from Beijing Normal University analyzed issues related to the innovation capacity training of doctoral students in international Chinese language education and suggested developing scientific programs to cultivate innovative talents. Professor Zhao Yang from Peking University discussed the importance of marketization in the development of international Chinese language education, viewing it to be a key approach for standardization, digitalization and localization. By reviewing the practice of marketizing language teaching products, he analyzed the challenges faced by international Chinese language education. Professor Ye Jun from East China Normal University explored the new connotations and directions of international Chinese language education in the new era, highlighting its diverse characteristics and significant implications for teaching. Professor Wu Yinghui, Dean of the Research Institute of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Language and Culture University, proposed strategies and pathways for promoting Chinese as a global language, and clarified the new mission and development goals of international Chinese language education, showcasing a global perspective and the commitment as a major country.

The seminar featured four sub-forums, where participants engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as digital education, language studies and cultural communication. Moreover, they shared their findings during the closing ceremony.

On the morning of the 10th, the Exchange Conference of International Chinese Language Education Alliance of Henan Province took place. Member institutions reflected on the work accomplished since the alliance’s establishment and discussed future development. Ma Qianghe affirmed the alliance’s efforts in his speech and expressed hope that member institutions would collaboratively elevate the international Chinese language education in Henan province to new heights.

The seminar provided a high-level academic exchange platform for the field of international Chinese language education, fostering the integration of theory and practice. Through in-depth discussions, participants gained a deeper understanding of the trends and challenges in international Chinese language education in the new era, offering important insights for the innovative development of this field.