CI at UWC Visited Four Central and Eastern European Countries to Promote International Chinese Language and TCM Cultural Exchange

From May 12 to 17, 2025, a four-member delegation from the Confucius Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) visited several countries in Central and Eastern Europe to engage in academic exchanges. The delegation visited Confucius Institutes and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) education institutions in the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary. The visit focused on exploring the development of international Chinese language education, gaining insights into the legislative and educational landscape of TCM in Europe, and enhancing the global influence of TCM culture.

The itinerary was compact yet substantial. From May 12 to 14, the delegation visited two Confucius Institutes and one clinic. From May 15 to 17, they traveled to the University of Pécs in Hungary to attend the 3rd Global Forum of TCM Confucius Institutes, hosted by the TCM Confucius Institute at the University of Pécs. Dr. Wu Changhong, Co-Director of the UWC Confucius Institute, and Mr. Ma Xuesheng from UWC’s School of Community and Health Sciences delivered keynote speeches at the forum and participated in a lively roundtable discussion with Confucius Institute representatives and TCM experts from various countries.

This visit broadened the international perspective of the UWC Confucius Institute of TCM, deepened its collaborations with Confucius Institutes and TCM institutions in Central and Eastern Europe, and laid a solid foundation for advancing international cooperation in TCM education and developing integrated “Chinese + TCM” talent training programs.