2023 Global English Education China Assembly takes place at CityU, opening up new prospects in education cooperation worldwide

The 2023 Global English Education China Assembly, hosted by China Daily and Shanghai International Studies University, co-hosted by Macao SAR Government Education and Youth Development Bureau, and organized by City University of Macau (CityU) and 21st Century English Education Media, took place today (28) at the Taipa Campus with an opening ceremony. Focusing on its theme “Opening up new prospects in education cooperation worldwide”, the event aims to enhance communication and international cooperation in the field of English education between China and the rest of the world while providing an international, professional, and high-standard platform for English educators worldwide to promoting learning and knowledge.

The assembly was supervised by various academic societies, including the Association for Comparative Studies of English and Chinese, the School of Foreign Languages and Literature of Beijing Normal University, the National Association of Foreign Language Education China Education Society, the International Research Foundation for English Language Education, the British Council, and ETS (Education Testing Service) China.

The opening ceremony of the assembly was attended by several distinguished guests and officials, including Qu Yingpu, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily; Ao Ieong U, Representative of the Macao SAR Chief Executive and Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture; Yan Zhichan, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR; Liu Xianfa, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the MSAR; Li Xuefei, Director of the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the MSAR; Kong Chi Meng, Director of Macao SAR Government Education and Youth Development Bureau; Zha Mingjian, Vice-President of Shanghai International Studies University; Chan Meng Kam, Chairman of Council of City University of Macau; Jun Liu, Rector of City University of Macau and President of The International Research Foundation for English Language Education; and Svetlana V. Sannikova, Coordination Council Chairperson of the National Association of Teachers of English in Russia. Zhu Baoxia, Editorial Board Member and Secretary-General of China Daily, moderated the opening ceremony.

At the event’s opening ceremony, Qu Yingpu, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of China Daily, highlighted that 2023 marks the 10th year since President Xi Jinping put forward both the idea of “building a community with a shared future for mankind” and the Belt and Road Initiative. “It is, therefore, appropriate that for the first time, the conference this year has moved out of the Chinese mainland to Macao where East meets West and multiple cultures blend,” Qu said.

He said he believes the event will catalyze many innovative outcomes. Qu further said that English education could be a bridge to promote high-quality development of the BRI and people-to-people cultural exchanges could provide momentum for “building a community with a shared future for mankind”. He urged the participants to cultivate talent in order to bolster the promotion of the three global initiatives brought forward by Xi — the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

Zha Mingjian, Vice-President of Shanghai International Studies University, said development in recent times has brought many opportunities as well as challenges. In this context, the English education sector in China has the responsibility to serve as a vital bridge for English education globally. “Opening education more extensively to the outside world will significantly strengthen China's efforts to modernize education in the new era,” Vice-President Zha said, “the international community has been actively seeking cooperation with China, eager to draw on the wisdom of Chinese education. The Chinese community of English education should continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation with English educators from around the world, provide suggestions and contribute to the development of English education in China, and offer Chinese wisdom and solutions to the development of English education worldwide.”

Kong Chi Meng, Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau, pointed out that the Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China put forth the strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education, which has provided guidance for the development of education in Macao. He stated that “currently, local universities are further strengthening cooperation with leading international universities, expanding the number of overseas students, and enhancing the internationalization of higher education.”

In terms of basic education Director Kong said that professional development courses are organized for primary and secondary school teachers to improve their professional and teaching competence. Looking ahead, the SAR government will strive to cultivate more English talents to support Macao's development as a world center for tourism and leisure.

Svetlana V. Sannikova, NATE Coordination Council Chairperson of Russia, highlighted that the assembly provides an international and high-end academic platform for in-service educators. She expressed her belief that attendees could acquire practical perspectives and methods to enhance their English teaching skills, and emphasized that “NATE Russia is willing to cooperate with China Daily to strengthen academic research and teacher training.” Svetlana V. Sannikova also remarked that “English teachers should conduct localized teaching, but they must also engage in global thinking.”

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the launch of the “Belt and Road” Initiative. To capitalize on the advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and establish an international cooperation hub for English language education, the organizing committee of the Global English Education China Assembly, in collaboration with City University of Macau, announced the establishment of the Belt and Road English Education Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Exchange Base. The Exchange Base aims to promote people-to-people connectivity and cultural exchange along the “Belt and Road” through language and culture, and to support the high-quality development of the BRI. Zeng Qingkai, Editor-in-chief of China Daily 21st Century English Education Media, and Rector Jun Liu signed the agreement on behalf of both parties and jointly launched the Exchange Base.

During the opening ceremony, the first edition of the commemorative book for the 5th anniversary of the Global English Education China Assembly, entitled “In Dialogue with Masters: Interviews with Prominent English Experts from China and Abroad”, was launched. The book features interviews with 18 Chinese and foreign experts who have participated in the assembly over the years, with the aim of sharing the latest achievements in English teaching theory, teaching reform, teaching practice, teaching evaluation, educational technology, and other related aspects with in-service teachers.

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Over the next three days, more than 1,600 experts, scholars, English teaching researchers, teachers, and education workers from over 20 countries and regions will gather to share the latest research and practical achievements in English education, explore cutting-edge topics in English education development, and discuss new approaches for educational exchanges and cooperation between China and the rest of the world. The assembly features a range of activities, including keynote speeches, thematic presentations, forums, workshops, classroom demonstrations, presentations, poster sessions, and international English education innovation exhibitions.

Additionally, the assembly will host the Deans’ Forum with a focus on international communication for the first time. This forum will facilitate in-depth discussions on the integration of English language education and international communication development. The assembly, held for the first time in Macao, has invited renowned scholars from universities in the Greater Bay Area, such as City University of Macau, University of Macau, Education University of Hong Kong, and Shantou University, to share their research findings and teaching practices. The assembly has also invited in-service teachers from the local high school – Premier School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School and Hangzhou Qizheng High School to conduct teaching demonstrations.

The Global English Education China Assembly was established in 2018 and is jointly organized by China Daily and Shanghai International Studies University. Over the past six years, it has grown into a highly respected academic event, an important platform for open cooperation, and a global educational product. This year marks the beginning of implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The Global English Education China Assembly will continue to promote dialogue and exchanges in Chinese and foreign English education, accelerate the modernization process of English education in China at a higher level of openness to the world, and create new opportunities for international cooperation in English education. This event will make an even greater contribution to building a community with a shared future for mankind.