The Confucius Institute at the University of Chittagong was formally inaugurated in Dhaka on Saturday, marking a new step in educational and cultural cooperation between Bangladesh and China.

The inauguration ceremony was held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka, where the University of Chittagong and China’s Yunnan Minzu University jointly established the institute.

The institute received approval from the Chinese International Education Foundation in October 2025. The two universities subsequently signed a cooperation agreement at the World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing in November 2025.

Zhao Junmin, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Yunnan Provincial Committee, attended the ceremony as the chief guest.

Yao Wen, Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh; Professor Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun, member of the University Grants Commission; and Professor Dr Mohammad Al-Forkan, vice-chancellor of the University of Chittagong, were present as special guests.

Among others, Professor Mohammad Al-Amin, pro-vice-chancellor (academic) of the University of Chittagong; Professor Dr Md Shafiqul Islam, pro-vice-chancellor (administration); Ruan Chaoqi, secretary of the Party Committee of Yunnan Minzu University; Professor Dr Md Kamal Uddin, director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Chittagong; and Brigadier General Mohammad Saif Ullah, director general of the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan, were also present.

Representatives from universities and educational institutions in Bangladesh and China, other Confucius Institutes, Chinese organizations and media outlets also attended the event.

The institute is the fourth Confucius Institute in Bangladesh and the first in the country’s southeastern region.

Ruan Chaoqi said Yunnan Minzu University would support the institute by sending more qualified teachers to Bangladesh and helping expand opportunities for Bangladeshi young people to pursue higher education in China.

The Confucius Institute would serve as an important bridge for young people from the two countries to learn Chinese while strengthening friendship and mutual understanding, he said.

Zhao Junmin said Yunnan province would continue to support the Confucius Institute's activities. The province would also help the two universities further develop the institute based on their respective strengths and expertise, he said.

Yao Wen said the institute could play an important role in developing skilled human resources needed for industrial development in the Chattogram region and for Bangladesh-China trade and economic cooperation.

It could also help build a community with a shared future between Bangladesh and China in the new era, he said.

Prof. Abdullah-Al-Mamun expressed hope that the Confucius Institute at the University of Chittagong would set an example for other higher education institutions in Bangladesh through new initiatives and experiences.

Guests later jointly unveiled the nameplate of the Confucius Institute at the University of Chittagong.

The inauguration ceremony also featured cultural performances by students and institutions from both countries. Yunnan Minzu University presented a traditional lion dance and a martial arts performance titled “The Wushu Spirit of China”.

The Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan presented “The Rhythms of Bangladesh”, while Chinese students studying Bengali at Yunnan Minzu University performed Bengali songs.

The launch of the Confucius Institute at the University of Chittagong is expected to deepen educational and cultural exchanges between Bangladesh and China.