Mavi Mestre, Principal of the UV, emphasised that more than 6,000 students of all levels and ages have attended the ICUV over the years. In addition, she stressed that, with the festive and cultural initiatives, “the Confucius Institute has transcended its academic boundaries and has become a tool ‘at the service of society,’” as its motto states.

Meanwhile, Julia Climent, second deputy mayor, reaffirmed on behalf of the mayor María José Català the commitment of the local council to the ICUV, as it is the best ambassador and interlocutor of Chinese culture in Valencia. She also pointed out that the Chinese community in Valencia represents a success story, since its involvement in the social, cultural and academic sphere is unquestionable. Furthermore, she highlighted the fact that “our love for festivals, family unity, silk and porcelain craftsmanship, as well as our passion for rice and gunpowder, bring Valencians closer to Chinese people.” On behalf of Carlos Mazón, President of the Valencian Government, Javier Moliner (General Director of the Agència Valenciana d’Avaluació i Prospectiva) pointed out the international relevance of the ICUV and its public transcendence.

Representing the Chinese community, the aforementioned Vice-principal Chang Qing reaffirmed his satisfaction that the ICUV continues to add academic successes and representation in Valencian society. In 2023, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Spain and China has been celebrated with several events and initiatives. For this reason, Yao Jing, Chinese ambassador in Spain, has sent an audiovisual message of congratulations. 

Vicente Andreu, Director of the ICUV, presented the Confucius20 project, which will take the form of several proposals now under study and will produce results when the ICUV celebrates its 20th anniversary. “Our future lies in becoming a tool that makes Chinese culture more accessible and in establishing research projects that facilitate understanding and interculturality between both societies,” he said. Juan José Morata, a young but veteran student who works in a firm related to China in the business sector, spoke on behalf of the ICUV students. 

The event included the artistic participation of the NENU Folklore Orchestra, whose performers played several music pieces with traditional Chinese instruments, such as the erhu, the zhongruan and the zhudi (‘bamboo flute’), among others. The NENU Folklore Orchestra is formed by a dozen performers, who have been touring the main professional and higher music conservatories of the Valencian Community since Monday. Specifically, they have performed twice in Valencia, Torrent, Llíria and Castelló; on Thursday 30, they will perform in Elche and Alicante. In all of them, the audience has received them with great enthusiasm.