自2005年非洲第一家孔子学院落户肯尼亚以来，孔子学院在非洲已走过七年的风雨历程。七年来，非洲孔子学院迅速发展壮大，为促进汉语言文化在非洲的传播和推广，为深化中非友谊、促进中非合作发挥了重要作用。
In 2005, the first Confucius Institute in Africa was set up in Kenya. Seven years after that, our hard work has yielded fruitful results. Confucius Institutes have established their strong presence in Africa and have played an important role in promoting Chinese language and culture, deepening friendship and boosting cooperation.
南非目前已有三家孔子学院，一家孔子课堂，是非洲大陆孔子学院最多的国家。但这还远远不够，我来南非后很多南非朋友强烈要求我推动在南设立更多的孔子学院，以满足当地民众要求学习汉语和了解中国文化的需求。可以说，孔子学院已成为非洲人民学习汉语和中华文化的园地，成为非洲人民认识中国、了解中国的窗口，成为深化中国人民与非洲人民友谊与合作的桥梁。
With three Confucius Institutes and one Confucius Classroom, South Africa now has the largest amount of Confucius Institutes in the Continent. But this is far from enough. After I came here, many South African friends have told me that they are looking forward to more Confucius Institutes for those local people who wish to learn Chinese language and culture. I think it's fair to say that Confucius Institutes are now more than a place for African people to know Chinese language and culture. It's a window of China and a bridge of friendship and cooperation.
女士们，先生们，
Ladies and Gentlemen,
语言是文化的载体和交流的工具，更是加强不同国家和人民之间交流与合作、加深理解与友谊的桥梁和纽带。在此，我想借孔子学院英文名称(Confucius Institute)的头两个字母，C和I，来谈谈我对孔子学院未来发展的两点想法。
Language is the vehicle of culture and the tool of exchange. It is also the bridge that links different countries and people together, a bond that strengthens mutual understanding and friendship. I have been thinking about the future development of Confucius Institutes, and I wish to share my thoughts with you by offering another interpretation of the abbreviation the "Confucius Institute", the letter "C" and the letter "I".
首先，C代表CHINA。孔子学院是中国的“文化名片”。孔子学院应继续坚持和发扬中国特色，打造“中国品牌”，在传授中国语言的同时，积极传播丰富、优秀的中华文化，将一个全面、立体、饱满的中国形象展示给世界，同时也向世界展示中华民族和中国人民爱好和平、勤劳智慧、开放文明的良好形象。
The letter "C" stands for China. Confucius Institutes have become the cultural "business card" of China and should carry forward its Chinese characteristics and try to make itself the "Brand of China". Therefore, while continuing with Chinese language teaching, our Confucius Institutes should actively promote Chinese culture so as to present a comprehensive, dynamic and vivid picture of China to the whole world, at the same time, showcase the image of the Chinese nation and people as open, peace-loving and hardworking.
其次，I代表INTERNATIONAL。希望孔子学院在坚持中国特色的基础上，放眼全球，海纳百川，积极吸收其他国家独特的文化传统，借鉴国际上先进的教学理念，遵循孔子因材施教的方法，将东方与西方、传统与现代更好地结合起来，培养出更多了解中国、喜欢中国文化、愿意传承中非友谊的友好使者。
