TAG-Confucius Newsletter | Issue 36 - May 2019

Talal Abu Ghazaleh-Confucius Institute: IN THIS ISSUE: The Institute was established in September 2008 TAG-Confucius Institute is holding a new to introduce the Chinese language and culture, as course to teach the basics of the Chinese well as achieving a greater mutual understanding language for beginners: between the Arab and Chinese cultures. This TAG-Confucius Institute Attends 2019 Joint unique initiative is based on the cooperation Conference of Confucius Institutes in Arab Countries agreement between Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Global TAG-Confucius Institute launched the Online and Confucius Institute in China. The Institute has Courses Approved by Confucius Institute Headquarters been named after the great intellectual, mentor and philosopher, Confucius, whose ideas had TAG-Confucius Institute won the first Place in the 18th “Chinese Bridge” Competition influenced China and other regions around the world for over 2,000 years. The Six Most Beautiful Caves in China

For inquiries please contact us Tel: +962 - 6 5100600 | Fax: +962 - 6 5100606 website: www.tagconfucius.com | Email: [email protected] TAG-Confucius Newsletter Issue 35 - April 2019

TAG-Confucius Institute is the first institute accredited by the Chinese Government to teach Chinese language in Jordan.

TAG-Confucius Institute is holding a new course to teach the basics of the Chinese language for beginners: A. Threshold Level for Adults: starting 17/6/2019 Schedule: Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 – 5:00 pm B. Threshold Level for Kids: starting 15/6/2019 Schedule of the course: Saturday from 3:00- 4:30 pm And Tuesday from 3:00-4:30 pm

*All Chinese language teachers are from China specialized in teaching Chinese language for foreigners and accredited by the Confucius Institute in China.

TAG-Confucius Institute Attends 2019 Joint Conference of Confucius Institutes in Arab Countries On April 28, the Joint Conference of Confucius Institutes in Arab Countries 2019 was held in Dubai, UAE, which was sponsored by Confucius Institute Headquarters/ Hanban in China and host by Confucius Institute at University of Dubai. Deputy Chief Executive of Confucius Institute Headquarters Yu Yunfeng, Assistant Undersecretary of UAE Ministry of Education Hamad Mohammad Al Yahyaei, President of University of Dubai Dr. Eesa M. Bastaki, Acting Consul-General of Consulate-General of China in Dubai Tan Li attended the Conference. More than 80 Chinese and foreign delegates from 17 Confucius Institutes/Classrooms in 10 Arab countries were present at the Conference. Yu Yunfeng emphasized in his speech that Confucius Institutes in Arab countries should attach importance to the development of connotation, adapt to local conditions and promote the development with characteristics. Confucius Institutes should strengthen collaboration and exchange experience and thoughts. He put forward five suggestions for the development of Confucius Institutes: sticking to the development of connotation and constantly consolidating the foundation of development; promoting the process of localization to help local social development; striving to find a correct position to achieve characteristic development; promoting cooperation and collaborative development; vigorously embracing modern science and technology, and contributing to the sustainable development of Confucius Institutes through digital means. The delegates participated in panel discussions on the topics such as collaborative development of Confucius Institutes, performance management of Confucius Institutes and sustainable development of Confucius Institutes. Dr. Yang Songfang, Chinese Director of TAG-Confucius Institute, shared with the delegates the practice and experience of TAG-Confucius Institutes from the aspects of the collaboration of education, business and trade, human resources and academy on the topic “how

1 TAG-Confucius Newsletter Issue 35 - April 2019 to strengthen the collaboration between Confucius Institute and government departments, social institutions and enterprises”. At the closing ceremony, Han Guohai, Vice President of Shenyang Normal University that is the partner university of TAG-Confucius Institute, delivered a speech on behalf of partner Chinese universities. He expressed that Confucius Institutes will continue to strengthen the development of connotation in the future, improve the quality of education, actively carry out cooperation, achieve regional. Effect, create the characteristic projects and brand of Confucius Institutes in Arab countries, and promote the deep integration of Chinese and Arab civilizations. This conference provided a good platform for Confucius Institutes in Arab countries to exchange experience and collaborate with each other. Delegates agreed that this is a pragmatic, efficient and fruitful event, which will promote the Confucius Institutes in Arab countries to further improve the quality of education, enhance the regional influence of Confucius Institutes, and promote language and cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Arab countries.

TAG-Confucius Institute launched the Online Courses Approved by Confucius Institute Headquarters On April 30, Confucius Institute Headquarters announced the results of online courses project in 2019. Business Chinese Course and Chinese Proficiency Test HSK Level 3 Course applied by Chinese Director Dr. Yang Songfang of TAG-Confucius Institute were approved and funded by Confucius Institute Headquarters, which is a breakthrough in the history of Chinese language teaching at TAG-Confucius Institute. In order to strengthen the construction of Confucius Institutes, improve the quality of education, meet the needs of teaching development, Confucius Institute Headquarters launched the “Confucius Institutes Online Courses and Resources Development and Construction Project”. TAG-Confucius Institute applied for the above-mentioned two courses in accordance with the characteristics of the students of the Institute and its own advantages, aiming to help more professionals and students learn Chinese language and culture. With the strong support of Confucius Institute Headquarters and TAG. Global, TAG- Confucius Institute will plan carefully, organize elaborately and start the course construction work as soon as possible. The Institute will attach importance to the course construction process to ensure the smooth realization of the course construction objectives.

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TAG-Confucius Institute won the first Place in the 18th “Chinese Bridge” Competition

AMMAN -The Preliminary Round in Jordan of profound Chinese culture was condensed into a the 18th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency lot of questions concerning drama, ancient poems, Competition for Foreign College Students and the painting, traditional festivals, pictograph, the Silk 10th “Great Wall-Petra Cup” Chinese Proficiency Road and the others. Competition for Jordanian College Students was held at Jordan University on May 16, 2019, which The contestants made full use of their knowledge was sponsored by Confucius Institute Headquarters/ and showed a fantastic feast of Chinese language Hanban in China and hosted by Chinese embassy in and culture. Talent show was the most wonderful Jordan and Jordan University. Chinese ambassador HE part. The contestants showed their best talents Pan Weifang, the cultural counsellor Yang Ronghao, including guitar playing and singing, calligraphy, President of Jordan University University Prof. Ahmad poem recitation, Taiji, dance, etc. and won the Majthoub, attended the competition. Eleven students heated applause.After fierce competition, Sara from TAG-Confucius Institute, the University of from TAG-Confucius Institute won the first place Jordan, Confucius Institute at Philadelphia University, by her accurate tones and clear articulation in participated in the competition. her speech and the skill in writing the Chinese calligraphy. She got the qualification to go to Chinese ambassador Pan Weifang gave a China in July this year to watch the “Chinese congratulation for the coming of the holy month of Bridge” final competition. Manal from TAG- Ramadan, and he said the friendship between China Confucius Institute got the third place. After the and Jordan has a long history and there are many competition, Sara expressed her wish to be a educational cooperative programs between the two Chinese teacher and help more Jordanian people countries. He hoped that the students can continue to learn Chinese language and culture. to make efforts to learn Chinese well and play important roles in the exchanges and cooperation “Chinese Bridge” competition provides a stage for in various fields between the two countries.The youth to show their Chinese learning achievements competition consists of the speech with the theme of and a platform to learn from and communicate with “One World, One Family”, questions and answers each other. It is also a good opportunity to test the about Chinese national conditions and culture, results of Chinese teaching. The competition will and talent show. In the speech, some contestants further inspire the students’ enthusiasm and interest talked about their life and study experience.During in learning Chinese and enhance their understanding the question-answer section, the extensive and of Chinese language and culture.

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The Six Most Beautiful Caves in China : Zhijin cave is located in south bank of Wujiang River which is one of the origins of six rivers, belongs to high dry cave. The cave has stalagmites, stone pillars, clint, more than forty of accumulations, as the formation of various karst landscape. It is known as “karst treasure”, “cave wonders”. Zhijin cave is called as the “king of the cave” in the world is that it has many of greatness of the world. Such as the whole hole developed part of 350000 square meters; Cave has many deposits category, the high grade which is rare; the highest, the most wide span of hall is the top in the world; More than 120 different crystalline formations are found in the cave’s interior along with stalactites and the “Silver Rain Tree” (银雨树), a 17 m (56 ft) tall rare flower-like transparent crystal. Furong Cave: Furong Cave is a large limestone cave, located in Wulong County, about 190 km from downtown Chongqing. It was regarded as “the most beautiful place underground” in China. Furong Cave has more than 70 kinds of secondary chemical sediment to make rich landscape, which is majestic, exquisitely carved. And it was hailed as “a colorful brilliant underground art palace.” Yellow Dragon Cave: Yellow Dragon Cave is more beautiful than the outside world. Day or night, without fear of rain or wind, all year long, you can delight in its wonderful scenery. The cave is of good beneficial air circulation, and is cool in the summer and war in the winter. Yellow Dragon Cave is one of the foremost scenic areas in Zhangjiajie, and was rated as one of the first 4A National Tourist Attractions in China. Also it has been honored as magical karst cave both in China and in the world. Yellow Dragon Cave is the longest one in Asia; it is an incomparable realm of gigantic subterranean chambers, fantastic cave formations, and extraordinary features. Today many of the wonders of Yellow dragon cave are well known, yet the experience of exploring its chambers. is every bit as exciting. The cave remained mystic to local villagers before the first caving adventure took place in 1982; they believe it was the holy home for yellow dragon and spirits. Now the routes are well paved and well lighted. Sturdy walking shoes, flashlights, and water are required when you explore the cave. Tenglong Cave: Tenglong Cave Scenic Spot consist of the water cave, dry cave, carp cave, breeze cave, and Dujia village and three dragon gate, such as the whole cave system is very complex, the total volume is the first in the world, is China’s best tourism caves, in October 2005 awarded by the China national geographic magazine as “the most Beautiful place in China”. Tenglong Cave park has a total area of 69 square kilometers, the southwest derives from the entrance Tenglong cave, connected with Mingyan gorge canyon scenic spot; Northwest to the black hole, connect with Xuezhao river canyon scenic spot, on the whole it distribute from southwest to northeast, is an extension along Qingjiang river valley of long and narrow area. Areas are in the 1000 meters above sea level. The developed main scenic spots are two: one is Tenglong dry cave scenic area; another is water

4 TAG-Confucius Newsletter Issue 35 - April 2019 cave scenic spot. The cavern group of Tenglong Cave has a total of five layers from top to bottom, the number of cave is more than 300. There are five peaks in the cave, 10 halls, more than 10 underground waterfalls, no poison air, no snakes and scorpions, no pollution, with a constant temperature 14 to 18 . Snow Jade Cave: Snow Jade Cave is located in the Ghost City in the other side of the Yangtze River, in the Longhe river valleys and above steep cliffs, it is Chongqing famous cave scenic area, covers an area of 15 square kilometers, the rare animals (the monkey, wild boar, chrysolophus pictus, etc.) of scenic spot in caves are in harmony with winding river, waterfall cascades, hanging cliffs attractions, the surrounding has a long Tujia minority customs, forming the unique Longhe river culture. Snow Jade Cave is the high- quality cave in river water-eroded cave scenic spots, is also a emerging wonderful work in the Three Gorges reservoir of the Yangtze River. Snow Jade Cave has total length of 1644 meters, of which 1,161 meters have been explored as tour line. In fact, Snow Jade Cave is a labyrinth of tunnels and crevices stretching hundreds of meters on different levels, and these complicated passages are always changing and developing. Since the cave has many levels, it has been divided into six separate parts, namely Celebrity Gathering, Heaven on Earth, Update your Life, Northland Scenery, Heavenly Mirage, and Bright Future. You may get a map showing the entire cave complex and good walking paths before entering the cave, so your visit to this labyrinth of the snow world is sure to be an exciting and unforgettable experience. Benxi Water Cave: Benxi Water Cave Scenic Area, located in Benxi, Liaoning province, is 35 kilometers to the northeast of Benxi. Benxi Water Cavel is a large limestone water filling cave formed millions of years ago, is the longest cave that has water filling in the world, is now developing Underground River for 3000 meters long, and continue flowing on the bottom. The cave river is really enormous. The river is up To 7 meters deep and the passage is up to 38 meters high and 50 meters wide. In the huge entrance hall, a chamber which is 50 meters long and 20 meters wide, and some 3000-year-old human remains were found there. The cave has Underground River with water so clear that the riverbed is always visible. Composed of six scenic spots-the Water Cave, the Spa Temple, the Tanggou Valley, Mount Guanmen, Mount Tiecha and Mount Miaohou, all distributed in a belt along the Taizi River. With the Benxi Water Cave as the hub, the park fuses mountain, water, cave, spring, lake, and ancient cultural sites together. The entrance of the cave is semilune. Going into the entrance of the cave is a hall with the capacity of one thousand people, the hall on the right side is a 300 meters long dry cave, without chisel represent nature, where is like the dragon palace wonderland. https://www.topchinatravel.com/china-guide/the-six-most-beautiful-caves-in-china.htm

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