The 28th Chinese Teachers' Party was being held in Chongqing from April 23 to 28, 2023. More than 200 Chinese teacher representatives from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and foreign countries participated in this 6-day event to share the achievements in education development.
During the event, the teacher representatives gained an understanding of the development of Chongqing in terms of economy, society, culture, and education, experienced the humanistic and natural landscape of Chongqing, and felt the splendid culture of the Chinese nation through various means of communication and visit activities including keynote speech, seminar, university survey, and cultural inspection. This event has enhanced mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and education integration.
In-depth discussion and mutual learning during exchange
At the seminar, the teacher representatives were divided into the president (principal) group, university teacher group, middle school teacher group, primary school teacher group and kindergarten teacher group. They had in-depth exchanges and discussions over topics including the role and challenge of presidents in the context of high-quality development of education, the improvement of curriculum and teaching in colleges and universities, the high-quality development of curriculum and teaching in middle schools in the context of high-quality development, the high-quality development of intelligent education and basic education. They offered suggestions, expressed their opinions, and discussed the development strategies for education in China, in an effort to boost the sound development of the children of China.
"The Ba Mountains and Yu Rivers are as long-standing as the love of Chinese teachers. Their patriotism and devotion to this country are never going to end. The core of the Party is to enhance education in China, which is the foundation of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," said Deng Haitang, the teacher representative of the middle school group.
Lin Honglong, the representative of the university teacher group, said that the focus of university teachers should be on the study of the latest issues and situations in the future education. Furthermore, they should try to find new ideas for new issues from a scientific, rational perspective, promote the integration of education and scientific and technological innovation ideas, so as to educate young people into the backbone force for the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
School survey to promote co-development of Chinese teachers
As a major part of this year's event, the teacher representatives were divided into 9 groups and paid visits to various schools in Chongqing to carry out survey and investigation, classroom observation, and symposium. Those schools include Chongqing University, Southwest University, Chongqing No. 1 Middle School, Chongqing Nankai Middle School, Chongqing No. 11 Middle School, Chongqing Bashu Middle School, Chongqing No. 8 Middle School, Chongqing People's Primary School, Chongqing Renhejie Primary School, Liangjiang New Area Xingguang School, Liangjiang New Area Boya Primary School, Chongqing Xincun Kindergarten, Chongqing Bashu Kindergarten, and Chongqing Special Education Center. In the process, they gained an understanding of the school-running achievements of the schools, and experienced the profound historical deposit, advanced school-running philosophy, and encouraging studying atmosphere of those schools.
"The president, students, and teachers of this school have a warm heart," Liang Yonghong, President of TWGHs Kwan Fong Kai Chi School, raved during a visit to Chongqing Special Education Center.
Liu Limei, Vice President of the Union of Catholic Schools of Macau, spoke highly of the school-running perspectives of Chongqing No. 8 Middle School, and its efforts in innovation of future education and talent training. Liu said that the teachers from Macau got inspiration and ideas for school-running from Chongqing No. 8 Middle School. She expressed her hope for more exchange and cooperation in education to complement each other's advantages. Liu also expressed her wish for joint development and advancement of Macau and mainland China in the education sector.
Mr. Huang Jinliang, Chairman of Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, said that this event promoted emotional communication and academic exchange among Chinese teachers, and provided educational support for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. People in Mainland China and Hong Kong are all in one family. Huang called for more exchange opportunities in the future.
Cultural investigation to appreciate the splendid culture of the Chinese nation
During the stay in Chongqing, the teacher representatives visited historic and cultural sites including Dazu Rock Carvings, Ciqikou Ancient Town, SERES, Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, and Chongqing Historical Sites Museum of the War of Resistance Against Japan, and gained an in-depth understanding of the economic, social and cultural development of Chongqing. Besides, they experienced the integration of world cultural heritage and the modern innovation and development, and saw with their own eyes the achievements made by Chongqing in construction of the "two-point", "two-place" and "two-high".
After the visit to Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, Li Lianjie, a Taiwanese teacher from Hubei Polytechnic University, was greatly amazed by the uniqueness of the Three Gorges Project and the Three Gorges culture. "From the history and culture presented in the Museum, I tasted the wisdom of engineers and hardworking of people, and understood the diversity and value of culture." We will inherit the wisdom and spirits carried by the Three Gorges Dam so that they will last forever."
"As a mountain city, Chongqing is like Hong Kong in many ways. I could not help thinking of Hong Kong when I rode on the two-river cruise ship and saw the fantastic night view of Chongqing. I would very much like to encourage students from my university to study and work in Chongqing, so as to further promote the exchange and interaction between Chongqing and Hong Kong." The traditional culture of Chongqing and its image as a prosperous city greatly impressed Zhao Wenhao, Deputy Dean of Hong Kong Sea School.
With "Ba Mountains and Yu Rivers · Love of Chinese Teachers" as its theme, the 28th Chinese Teachers' Party was sponsored by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, and was organized by Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing University and Southwest University.
Since its founding in 1992, the Chinese Teachers' Party has been held for 28 times. More than 8,000 teacher representatives have participated in the event. It is popular among education workers and teachers and serves as a platform for Chinese teachers from home and abroad to exchange ideas.
