Confucius Institute leaders across the UK gather at Cardiff for book launch and roundtable
24 November 2025
On November 6, 2025, Cardiff Confucius Institute (CCI) welcomed more than ten directors of Confucius Institutes from England, Wales, and Scotland.
Professor Rudolf Allemann, Pro Vice-Chancellor International, opened the event and reaffirmed Cardiff University’s commitment to high-quality language education, academic collaboration, and public value.
Professor Jinghan Zeng (former Director, Lancaster University Confucius Institute; now Professor of City University of Hong Kong) then launched his book, Memoirs of a Confucius Institute Director: Challenges, Controversies, and Realities, outlining lessons from institute governance, partnership building, and changing global narratives.
The programme concluded with a roundtable featuring Professor Rudolf Allemann, Professor Zeng, Professor David Clarke (Dean, School of Modern Languages), and Professor Peng Zhou (Dean of International and Director of Cardiff Confucius Institute). Discussion addressed the role of language education in geopolitics, evidence-informed engagement with China, and collaborative opportunities across the UK Confucius Institute network.
Language education and cultural exchange sit at the heart of Cardiff University’s global-civic mission. CCI equips learners with the listening, empathy and trust that sustain people-to-people diplomacy and meaningful UK-China cultural exchange. In periods of geopolitical tension, these human connections keep dialogue open, evidence-led and focused on shared value.
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Professor Peng Zhou
Professor of Economics, University Dean of International, Director of Confucius Institute
