GACEE Establishes European and Americas Hubs to Advance Chinese Language Education

On 11 August 2025, Jiang Zhonghua, Principal of the Roma Chinese Language School in Italy, and Wang Xiang, Chairperson of the Ottawa Chinese School Foundation and the Canada-China Cultural and Educational Exchange Centre, visited the *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao* (Middle School Students' Study Paper). They held an in-depth discussion with representatives of the Global Association of Cultural and Educational Exchange (GACEE) on overseas Chinese language education and cultural dissemination. During the meeting, *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao* and GACEE formally designated Italy’s Chinese Society Promotion Association of Italy and Canada’s Ottawa Chinese School Foundation as their European and Americas Cooperation Centres respectively. A memorandum of understanding was signed with the Italian association, marking a new phase in international collaboration on Chinese language education.

Staying True to Mission: Cultural Dissemination through Educational Institutions

Li Kaizhen, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao*, recalled the newspaper’s 43-year history in his opening address. He stressed that it has consistently upheld its mission “to advance teaching and learning behind the scenes of education, and to promote cultural dissemination and civilisational continuity on the front line of publishing”, building an integrated educational publishing ecosystem spanning books, newspapers, periodicals, websites, mobile applications, and services. In recent years, the newspaper—jointly with GACEE—has expanded its international outreach: hosting the inaugural World Chinese Essay Competition and Recitation Contest under the theme “Carrying Truth Through Writing, Conveying Emotion Through Words”, drawing participation from ethnic Chinese youth worldwide; collaborating with overseas Chinese-language publications and convening international Chinese language education forums; authorising cooperation centres across Europe, Asia and the Americas; and establishing oracle bone script and calligraphy study bases. It has also organised international study tours under the theme “Walking China, Sustaining Cultural Heritage”, enabling students at home and abroad to experience Chinese culture firsthand. Li stated that the newspaper will further deepen collaboration with overseas Chinese schools to jointly explore innovative models of Chinese language education.

A GACEE representative noted that the Singapore-based association was founded in 2025 and has already established links with over 100 institutions across more than 50 countries, forming a five-continent exchange network. Its mission is to promote cultural and educational exchange and cultivate globally minded talent. GACEE has successfully organised initiatives such as “Roots and Soul: A Hundred Overseas Chinese School Principals Visit Henan” and the International Chinese Language Education Forum. Moving forward, GACEE will collaborate with *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao* to upgrade the World Chinese Essay Competition, develop high-end study tour routes, pilot an “International Chinese Language Education New Model”, and deliver training in drone operation and AI—building a curriculum system that integrates tradition and technology to advance educational equity and shared human well-being.

Rooted Abroad: Localised Practice in Overseas Chinese Schools

Jiang Zhonghua, who has dedicated over two decades to Chinese language education in Italy, shared the development journey of the Roma Chinese Language School. Starting with just three Chinese classes, the school now serves nearly 1,000 students across kindergarten, primary, junior and senior secondary levels, and has been recognised by China’s State Council Overseas Chinese Affairs Office as a “Model School”. It uses China’s nationally compiled textbooks while integrating Italian cultural knowledge, and offers mathematics, Italian, English, art, music and martial arts—cultivating bilingual, bicultural talent. To support newly arrived immigrant children, it added Italian and English courses; it also runs Chinese classes for local students, serving as a bridge between China and the West.

In cultural transmission, the school employs immersive pedagogy: preschoolers recite the *Disciples’ Rules*; middle-school students take courses in Chinese geography and history; calligraphy and tea culture sessions convey cultural warmth. During traditional festivals, teachers and students celebrate together and participate in Rome’s multicultural festivals, performing tea ceremonies and Peking opera. Its “Dialogue with Roman Citizens” initiative has been adopted by Rome’s Municipal Education Bureau as a model for multicultural education. Digitally, the “Chinese Cloud Online School” serves over 300 ethnic Chinese youths across Belgium, Germany and other European countries—extending cultural transmission beyond geographical limits. Jiang expressed hope for deeper collaboration with the newspaper and association on curriculum development and teacher exchanges.

Wang Xiang, Chairperson of the Ottawa Chinese School Foundation and the Canada-China Cultural and Educational Exchange Centre, focused on Chinese language education practice in the Americas. Having immigrated to Canada in 1999, he has worked in Chinese language education for over twenty years and long collaborated with the Chinese Embassy’s Education Section in Canada to organise study tours to Chengdu and the Beijing “Chinese Bridge” summer camp. He observed that although Chinese language education in Canada faces unique challenges, the success of the inaugural World Chinese Essay Competition and international study tours revealed strong collaborative potential. He plans to lead a delegation to participate in the newspaper and association’s high-end study tour in March next year, and to promote related activities across the Americas—enabling more ethnic Chinese children to experience the appeal of Chinese culture.

Partnering Forward: A New Chapter in Cultural Dissemination

Experts present at the symposium exchanged views on pathways for overseas Chinese language education development. They highly commended Jiang Zhonghua’s vision and family support in establishing a physical campus, noting that his “mentorship and succession” model for teacher development offers valuable insights for addressing the shortage of full-time teachers overseas. They also praised the Roma Chinese Language School’s use of China’s nationally compiled textbooks—achieving both curricular alignment with domestic standards and local adaptation—as well as the cultural grounding fostered by essay competitions and Sinology lectures.

At the closing session, *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao* and GACEE officially conferred the titles of European and Americas Cooperation Centres upon Italy’s Chinese Society Promotion Association of Italy and Canada’s Ottawa Chinese School Foundation respectively, and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Italian association. This partnership will pool resources to strengthen collaboration in curriculum development, teacher training and student exchange—injecting fresh momentum into overseas Chinese language education.

From Spring Festival temple fairs in Rome to Chinese language classrooms in Ottawa, from the cloud-based connections of the “Chinese Cloud Online School” to the on-the-ground experiences of international study tours, Chinese language education is forging bridges of civilisational dialogue through diverse forms. With the establishment of these two new hubs in Europe and the Americas, educators across borders will work more closely together—ensuring that seeds of Chinese culture take root and flourish in ever-wider soils around the world, becoming bonds of shared humanity and catalysts for mutual understanding.

 (Reporter: Ren Lu)