On the Second Day of the 2023 World Chinese Language Conference, the Delegation of Leaders from the Association, both Domestic and Foreign, along with A Group of University Presidents, Attended the Parallel Forum on Chinese Tests Contribute to the Development of International Trade in Services

To promote the high-quality development of international Chinese education, foster cooperation in language and cultural exchanges between China and other countries, and enhance mutual understanding and trust, the 2023 World Chinese Language Conference was held on the 7th of this month at the China National Convention Center. The theme of the conference was "Chinese for the World, Openness into the Future." The event featured a plenary session, two main forums, the International Chinese Proficiency Test examination site forum, and various parallel forums focusing on Language Education and Mutual Learning across Civilization, international collaboration in education, "Chinese+TVET",and the digital advancement of Chinese language education.

On December 8th, following the conference schedule, the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association, along with 11 education ministry leaders and university presidents from Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria, as well as leaders from more than 10 domestic universities, attended the parallel forum on "Chinese Tests Contribute to the Development of International Trade in Services." During the forum, the Secretary-General of SNAEIA, Chen Lu, six leaders from Chinese universities, and four leaders from foreign education departments and universities delivered speeches on the topic of "Chinese Tests Contribute to the Development of International Trade in Services."

In his speech, BETTACHE DRISS, Director for Africa and International Cooperation of The Office of Vocational Training and Employment Promotion of the Kingdom of Morocco(OFPPT), expressed gratitude to the organizers and hosts of the conference. He mentioned that being invited to participate in this parallel forum was a true honor for the OFPPT. He acknowledged the significant role played by the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association in enhancing the connectivity between the OFPPT and the relevant Chinese education departments and universities, especially in the services provided for international education cooperation and the progress of the Chinese Learning and Testing Center construction project.

BETTACHE DRISS highlighted that engaging in Chinese language learning and promotion in Morocco presents a new opportunity for collaboration. He emphasized the commitment to continue implementing the "Chinese + Vocational Skills" base construction project, further solidifying a series of international collaborations in the field of vocational education between North Africa and China.

In his speech, Fassouane Abdelaziz, the Vice President of Ibnou Zohr University in Morocco, stated that Morocco, as a key cooperating country within China's "Belt and Road" initiative, has developed a relationship with China that serves as a successful example of unity and cooperation, showcasing mutual benefit. He emphasized that Sino-Moroccan relations have demonstrated broader prospects in various fields such as economy, education, technology, and culture.

Abdelaziz highlighted the importance of nurturing bilingual talents between China and Morocco as the foundation for exchange and cooperation. He expressed the hope that through the "Chinese + Vocational Skills" base project, more Moroccan students will have the opportunity to learn the Chinese language and culture.

In his speech, BETTAIEB LAMJED, the Vice President of Esprit in Tunisia, emphasized the continuous expansion of cultural exchanges between China and Arab countries in recent years. He noted the advancement in Chinese education and the strengthening of the HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) program to new heights. He highlighted that as early as 2002, the Ministry of Education Tunisia decided to introduce Chinese courses at the high school level and offer Chinese as an elective secondary language.

Currently, the study of Chinese is highly popular in Tunisia, and Esprit hopes that by establishing the "Chinese Learning and Testing Center," they can cultivate more teachers and students proficient in Chinese. This initiative aims to establish friendly and interconnected international relations and cooperation with Chinese higher education institutions in the context of international trade in services.

In his speech, Yang Yuanzhi, the Secretary of the Party Committee of the Liming Vocational University, first introduced the achievements of the school in Chinese education. He particularly emphasized that the next step for the university will focus on using the Chinese proficiency examination as an entry point, leveraging the International Chinese Teacher Certificate examination, and prioritizing the development of "Chinese + Vocational Skills" education and training programs.

The university aims to establish the "Li Ming Maritime Silk Road Institute" and integrate further into the construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative. It plans to expand its international cooperation network, explore innovative pathways in vocational education to serve the "Belt and Road" initiative, and ultimately build the Li Ming Maritime Silk Road Institute into an internationally renowned brand.

In his speech, Zhou Wang, the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Nanning College for Vocational Technology, elaborated on the school's high regard for the role of Chinese exams in promoting the development of international trade in services and the measures taken. He expressed the school's commitment to leveraging learning center to enhance the quality of enrollment for international students, teaching, and the effectiveness of Chinese education.

The school aims to expand its overseas campuses, deepen the reform of the "Chinese + Vocational Skills" training model, improve the school's international education system, and promote the high-quality training of international high-level technical and skilled talents. The focus is on providing a comprehensive and effective learning experience for students in the field of international service trade.

In her speech, Wang Yanting, the President of Caofeidian College Of Technology, stated that the school will continue to research the education and teaching models, as well as high-quality teaching methods in countries and regions along the "Belt and Road." The focus is on continually improving the talent cultivation model for international students studying in China. The school aims to strengthen teaching standards, teaching resources, internationalized faculty, and resources related to Chinese proficiency exams.

Efforts will be made to contribute "Caofeidian Vocational College's wisdom" and "Caofeidian Vocational College's plan" to the global development of vocational education. The goal is to provide valuable insights and practical solutions to contribute to the globalization of vocational education.

Chen Jiangfeng, the Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Vice President of Beijing Polytechnic, stated that the college swiftly initiated the International Chinese Teaching Program after obtaining the qualification to enroll international students in 2018. Through the practical experience in Chinese education, the college has gradually explored and summarized the path of teaching Chinese as a foreign language based on "Chinese + Vocational Skills," achieving significant progress.

Looking forward, the school will continue to strengthen the integration of digital technology into Chinese teaching, promote the construction of the "Chinese + Vocational Skills" curriculum resource system, and enhance the international research and teaching capabilities of the faculty. The goal is to contribute to the international development of vocational education.

In his speech, Fan Yao, the Party Committee Member and Vice President of Yiwu Industrial & Commercial College, introduced Yiwu's international characteristics as the acclaimed "World Capital of Small Commodities." He highlighted Yiwu's multi-dimensional transportation channels, such as the Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe railway and Yiwu-Ningbo-Zhoushan seaport, emphasizing Yiwu's global trade reach.

Yiwu exports 2.4 million types of commodities to over 230 countries and regions while importing 150,000 types of overseas commodities from more than 100 countries and regions. In the future, the college plans to leverage the advantages of the upcoming "Morocco-Yiwu Business School" overseas branch to strengthen cooperation with relevant departments in Yiwu. The goal is to integrate local resources and advantages, enhance the international service trade capabilities of the HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) examination site, and expand the international influence of the college's HSK examination site. This effort aims to cultivate more high-quality international talents for the "World Capital of Small Commodities."

In her speech, NARIMANE KENZARI , Vice-President of the Higher Business School of Algeria, emphasized the importance of Chinese education and shared her vision for the development of the Chinese Learning and Testing Center. She highlighted the crucial role of the Chinese language as one of the working languages of the United Nations, playing an increasingly vital role in global youth learning and exchange. More and more Algerian students are expressing a willingness to choose China for their studies.

The school's goal is to establish the first HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) examination center in Algeria. They hope that in the future, Algerian students will not only master the Chinese language and pass the test but also have the opportunity to pursue undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees at Chinese universities.

In her speech, Chen Lu, the Secretary-General of the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association, discussed the framework of the Association's initiatives and regulations. She highlighted the SNAEIA's commitment to building a human community with a shared future in North Africa, serving the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting the internationalization of education, assisting domestic and foreign universities and vocational colleges in going global, and advancing pragmatic cooperation between Chinese and foreign institutions.

She specifically mentioned the SNAEIA's collaboration with universities in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and other countries on the "Chinese + Vocational Skills" projects. The Association, in collaboration with Chinese Testing International, jointly organized the selection process for the first batch of construction units for "Chinese + Vocational Skills" bases. This initiative aims to construct a high-quality international development model for vocational education, promote the coordinated development of international Chinese education and vocational education, and provide a platform for international exchange and cooperation for vocational colleges through the "Chinese Learning and Testing Center." The goal is to enhance the internationalization of vocational education and further improve the quality of "Chinese + Vocational Skills" training and international Chinese education.

Chen Lu emphasized that international Chinese education, "Chinese + Vocational Skills" education and training, and Chinese language proficiency testing not only help international students broaden their Chinese learning paths but also immerse them in China's rich traditional culture. Furthermore, these initiatives facilitate cultural exchanges between China and other countries, fostering cultural pride and confidence in students. The exploration of the path of Chinese education continues, and the Association hopes for more innovative contributions to Chinese education and testing practices, ultimately supporting the growth of young people worldwide into future leaders.

The Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association has been deeply involved in international education cooperation in Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria for many years. Within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Association is committed to promoting the internal development of internationalization in Chinese and North African universities. They aim to enhance the level of internationalization in the work of Chinese and North African universities, seize new opportunities for international cooperation and exchanges in the new era, and build a regional platform for international educational collaboration.

Through carefully designed initiatives such as teacher-student exchanges, cultural ambassadors, international competitions, research platforms, education standards dissemination, overseas branches, and "Chinese + Vocational Skills" programs, the Association seeks to implement a development philosophy centered on North Africa, relying on institutions, going global with enterprises, steadily expanding, facing the world, and achieving win-win cooperation. Their goal is to serve the entire process of national education openness, collaborate with partners, and move forward together towards the future.