The 2025 Henan International Chinese Language Education Exchange and International Chinese Language Teaching Competence Enhancement Event took place at Henan University (HENU)’s Longzihu Campus in Zhengzhou from November 29 to 30, 2025. Distinguished guests attending the conference included Professor SHEN Shuying from Beijing Language and Culture University, Professor FENG Liping, Dean of the School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Professor JIANG Guoquan, Dean of the College of International Education, Capital Normal University, Professor LE Qi from Communication University of China, WANG Huaxing, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, Education Department of Henan Province, and Professor BAI Ying, Vice President of HENU. More than 300 representatives from colleges and universities across Henan Province, ChinesePlus and other institutions participated in the event. The opening ceremony was presided over by LI Qiuye, Deputy Director of the International Affairs Office of HENU.

At the ceremony, BAI Ying stated that since HENU committed to international Chinese language education in 1985, it has cultivated over 9,000 international students from more than 80 countries. HENU has established a distinctive educational model and a diverse communication platform that integrates Chinese language, traditional culture, and specialized disciplines. She expressed that HENU will collaborate with other institutions in Henan province to jointly promote the innovative development of international Chinese language education in the region.

WANG Huaxing reviewed the development journey of international Chinese language education in Henan province. He emphasized that in the context of digital and intelligent transformation, there is a need to unite efforts to explore contemporary challenges and make new, greater contributions to enhance the influence of Chinese culture. A representative from the ChinesePlus platform delivered an address and shared practical experience on empowering international Chinese language education through digital technology.

The keynote report session was presided over by LI Xiangling, Dean of HENU’s School of International Education, and LI Xinjuan, Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Office, Henan Polytechnic University. Professor SHEN Shuying explained how to effectively tell China’s stories through multimodal resources. Professor FENG Liping analyzed interaction behaviors in classroom and proposed concrete methods to improve teaching quality through efficient interaction and speech optimization. Professor JIANG Guoquan explored the transformative logic of AI-empowered international Chinese language education and new teaching models driven by language intelligence. Professor LE Qi provided a systematic interpretation of the Framework of Reference for Chinese Culture and Society in International Chinese Language Education, which offers an important reference for future curriculum design and teaching innovation.

The teaching skill exchange activities commenced on the afternoon of November 29. The teacher group, the Chinese student group, and the international student group conducted their presentations and exchanges in designated venues at the South Building of Youlan Academy. On November 30, the ChinesePlus facilitated discussions on teachers’ digital literacy, the application of AI tools, and educational digitalization to support the digital and international development of international Chinese language education. The closing ceremony took place that afternoon, presided over by ZHAI Qiumin, Vice Dean of HENU’s School of International Education. LI Xinjuan announced the list of award winners, and LI Xiangling delivered the closing remarks.

Through diverse formats such as expert guidance to clarify directions and digital empowerment to pursue innovation, a platform for exchange and cooperation in international Chinese language education was established during this event. It consolidated the development efforts for international Chinese language education in Henan and explored practical pathways for teaching innovation and teacher development in the digital intelligence era. In addition, it injected strong momentum into the inheriting of excellent traditional Chinese culture, the promotion of mutual learning among civilizations, and the service of the Belt and Road Initiative.