On the afternoon of November 15, the 2024 World Chinese Language Conference opened at the Beijing National Convention Center. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the conference and extended congratulations on the 20th anniversary of Confucius Institutes. Vice President Han Zheng attended the opening ceremony, read President Xi's letter, and delivered a speech. With the theme “Connecting and Integrating, Inheriting and Innovating,” the conference gathered over 2,000 participants from more than 160 countries and regions, including government officials, university presidents, experts, scholars, faculty and student representatives, and foreign envoys to China. Shen Baozhong, Deputy Party Secretary and President of our university, was invited to attend the conference.

On the afternoon of the 16th, Shen Baozhong delivered a keynote speech on the topic “The HSK Exam Facilitating the Integrated Development of ‘Chinese Language + Vocational Skills’” at the conference's “Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) and Other Language Assessments” session.

Shen Baozhong emphasized that language serves as a vital vehicle for cultural integration and mutual learning among civilizations, and an important bond for fostering mutual understanding among peoples. He elaborated on new opportunities for vocational education development, the new strategic layout of the “Chinese Language + Vocational Education” initiative, and how to plan new international Chinese language education programs from three perspectives: new developments in Chinese language education, the global wave of Chinese language education expansion, and the unique advantages of vocational education.

Shen Baozhong stated that Binzhou Vocational College is among the first batch of National Key Colleges, National Quality Colleges, and National Dual-Track Higher Education Institutions. It has been listed on China's “Four Major Quality Lists” for vocational education for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023. The college has always prioritized the strategic layout of “Chinese + Vocational” and achieved fruitful results. Looking ahead, the college will focus on establishing a Chinese language learning and testing center to enhance the accessibility of international Chinese education. It aims to expand the scope and capacity of the “Chinese +” initiative, advance the development of “Chinese + Vocational” teaching materials and curricula, and promote the export of educational standards. By collaborating with other institutions and leveraging the international platform of the HSK exam, the college will cultivate more globally-oriented talents proficient in both specialized skills and the Chinese language.

"The widespread popularity of international Chinese language education highlights the appeal of openness and inclusiveness, demonstrates the value of mutual learning and exchange, embodies the spirit of win-win cooperation, and crystallizes the collective efforts of Chinese and international educators. Taking this conference as an opportunity, the university will focus on deepening international capacity cooperation and advancing the Belt and Road Initiative. While driving the transformation and upgrading of international Chinese language education, it will better serve international capacity cooperation and the global expansion of Chinese enterprises. It will promote the deep integration of “Chinese + vocational skills,” contributing wisdom and strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind.