On the afternoon of March 25, 2009, Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun and Benin's Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Francois Abiola attended the board-unveiling ceremony of the Confucius Institute at the University of Abomey-Calavi and unveiled the board of the Confucius institute. The ceremony was also attended by over 300 representatives, including President Norbert Awanou of the University of Abomey-Calavi, other leaders of the University, top officials from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and people from all walks of life.

Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun Delivers a Congratulation Speech on the Founding of the Confucius Institute

Minister Francois Abiola first extended a warm welcome to Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun for visiting Benin and thanked him for attending the board-unveiling ceremony at the University of Abomey-Calavi. Minister Abiola said that the opening of the Confucius Institute is a new and important achievement for educational cooperation between China and Benin and will greatly promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of education and culture. Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun also thanked the government of Benin and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for their support to the founding of the Confucius Institute and thanked the University of Abomey-Calavi for its hard work for the preparation for the founding of the Confucius Institute. He hoped that the Confucius Institute could really become a bridge for cultural exchanges between China and Benin and play its due role in boosting cultural prosperity of the two countries, and promoting cultural exchanges and mutual-learning between the two countries and enhancing the friendship between the two peoples. Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun, on behalf of the Chinese side, donated a batch of teaching and office supplies to the University of Abomey-Calavi.

The board-unveiling ceremony was permeated with ardent and joyous atmosphere. The Chinese-learning students at the University of Abomey-Calavi performed Chinese martial arts, sung Chinese songs and presented Chinese musical works to celebrate the founding of the Confucius Institute.