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Xu Lin
Chief Executive, Confucius Institute Headquarters
Director General, the Office of Chinese Language Council International
2007 has gone, 2008 is here. The New Year is beginning. At this moment when we say good-bye to the old year and welcome the new, on behalf of Hanban, I would like to send Spring Festival Greetings to all the Chinese language teachers, volunteers, as well as faculty and staff of the Confucius Institutes worldwide! I salute all our friends who have made contributions and efforts in the undertaking of Chinese language promotion!
While saying farewell to 2007, we joyfully greet 2008, another year full of vitality and wonders. This year, the Chinese people will welcome the biggest event for friendly exchange with people from all other countries and regions---the Games of the 29th Olympiad. We expectantly hope that under the light of the Olympic Flame, a new chapter will be opened for global Confucius Institutes and international Chinese promotion!
China needs the world, and the world needs China. In this brand new age of knowledge economy and information technology, the world where "Friends from distant lands are like neighbors" once dreamed of by the ancients, has now become a reality. As global cultural exchange deepens and expands, the need of people from other countries to learn the Chinese language and culture becomes more and more pressing. Only when everyone "opens up the door" and "goes out", can we truly realize a world where multiple cultures coexist and merge. This has become a consensus in todays world.
The 227 Confucius Institutes located in 66 countries and regions all around the world are not only a platform of language and cultural exchange, but also a bridge of friendship between the Chinese and other peoples. It is our common cause, our common goal, and also our common hope and vision, to develop the Confucius Institutes in a better and faster way.
As the native country of the Chinese language, we are ready to offer our greatest enthusiasm, our greatest efforts, to help and facilitate the learning of Chinese by all our foreign friends, and to meet the multi-level demand for learning about Chinese culture by people of all countries.
When harmony is highly valued, everything can be accomplished. In 2008, the staff of Hanban & Confucius Institute Headquarters will continue to hold high the principles of mutual respect, friendly discussion, equality and mutual benefit, to forge ahead, innovate and open doors. We will do out best to build Confucius Institutes and put out heart and soul into providing better services for international Chinese instruction and Chinese cultural dissemination.
Lets join hands and build an even better tomorrow for the global Confucius Institutes! | 
