Ever since the outbreak of coronavirus last January, it has been a great concern toall the teachers of the USTB-DMU Confucius Institute (CI).Following the guidance from USTB, Hanban and the Chinese Embassy to the UK,we have been working closely with DMU leadership, the CI Management Board, and the DMU Students Union and many of the CI partners to make sure that we stay in tune with the war efforts against COVID-19 back at home in China, and that all the CI staff stay safe to fulfil our teaching programs and cultural events for the Chinses New Year as scheduled.
As more and more Chinese students became more and more troubled with the safety of their families in China and their own dual worries about safety as well as emerging virus-related racism in the UK, DMU made an official timely requeston 11th Februarythat all staff & students show support & sympathy for Chinese students and treat them with dignity & respect.
Pic1 – DMU’s official message to protect the Chinese
The CI immediately reposted this message on its official Twitter account and WeChat Moment with an appreciation and an intention to comfort the Chinese on campus, adding that “德蒙福特大学要求全体师生同情支持和尊重中国学生。”
Pic 2 - The Confucius Institute's interaction with DMU
Even though Leicester, with its celebration of racial and cultural diversity, is more tolerant to Asian and Chinese population, there have been minor cases of uncivil remarks and gestures. To help curb such a tendency, the CI reposted from Global Timesa reassuring statement byBarbaraWoodward, the British Ambassador to China, with similar posts, commenting that people from all walks of life here in the UK, from the Queen and the PM to businesses and school children, have expressed their sympathy & support to China.
Pic 3 - The Confucius Institute's interaction with DMU
In mid-February, Simon Bradbury, DMU Pro Vice Chancellor and Local Director of the Confucius Institute, publicized a video on Weibo, YouTube, Facebook and CGTN (China Global Television Network) to give a clear and strong message of support to the Chinese students and China’s battle against the epidemic. His encouraging message has won more than 70,000 viewsin a day with many reposts and comments!
Pic 4 - PVC Simon Bradbury's message of support on YouTube
Pic 5 - PVC Simon Bradbury's message of support 武汉加油！中国加油！
Pic 6 - PVC Simon Bradbury's message of support on Weibo
Pic 7 - PVC Simon Bradbury's message of support on CGTN
Since Simon is also our CI’s Local Director, we are very proud of his strong support of China.Yang Yingjun, the Chinese Director of the CI,expressed on his WeChat a message of appreciation of DMU that is among many UK universities extending their concern, sympathy & support to China's efforts in combating COVID19. 德蒙福特大学跟大多数英国大学一样，对中国抗疫一直深表关切、同情和支持。我们对此非常赞赏！
Pic 8- The Confucius Institute's interaction with the video by PVC Simon Bradbury
On Feb the 19th, with the help of some Chinese students and local students learning Chinese with the CI, DMU Students Union publicized a video clip in support of Wuhan and China. “Be Strong, Wuhan! Be Strong, China! 武汉加油！中国加油！” Many of the CI staff, students from Chinaand the local Chinese reposted the clip to show their appreciation.
Pic 9 - DMU Students Union's video in support of Wuhan and China
Pic 10 - DMU Students Union's video in support of Wuhan and China
Pic 11 - DMU Students Union's video in support of Wuhan and China
Pic 12 - DMU Students Union's video in support of Wuhan and China
Pic 13 - DMU Students Union's video in support of Wuhan and China
Draft: YANG Yingjun; Revision: YANG Yingjun
