Respectable Senator, Mrs.Laila Sharaf,

Distinguished Director-general Ms. Xu Lin,

Presidents of Philadelphia and Liaocheng University,

Dear guests and friends, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon.

First of all, I'd like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the opening ceremony of the Confucius Institute at Philadelphia University and a warm welcome to Ms. Xulin, Director-general of Hanban, Confucius Institute Headquarters in China. My sincere thanks also go to the university of Philadelphia and Liaocheng for their joint efforts since last September's agreement, and for all the distinguished guests present today. Thank you for your time and presence.

The prophet Mohamed had a famous saying, "Seeking knowledge even as far as China". With the development of friendly relations between China and Jordan, more and more Jordanian education institutions and people have come to tell us that they want to learn Chinese to know more about Chinese language and culture. Chinese people meanwhile are expanding their friendly exchanges with Jordanians and Arabs and have further involved themselves in economic and social development in Jordan.

It is to our great delight in meeting the needs of those growing partnership that Confucius Institute and Confucius Classroom came into being and keeps growing ever since, well embraced and participated in by people from all walks of life both in Jordan and China. Just as the comprehensive development of China-Arab relationship marks a new era of the ancient Silk Road for both peoples, the Confucius Institute serves as new bridge with best gas station on the "Silk Highway" of peace and friendship.

Everyone present today is the constructor, engineer and maintenance worker of that bridge. Your hard work and dedication will always be remembered in the history of China-Jordan friendly relationship, and will certainly help people of the two countries to deepen exchanges, enhance mutual understanding, expand cooperation and share new opportunities.

As Confucius put it, "Among three of us walking together, one is my teacher" and "teaching is also learning". Chinese language teaching is another precious opportunity for us to learn from the Jordanian people. The ceremony today is a new start. I believe that with the joint efforts, due to the sincere cooperation of both sides and benefited from the rapid bilateral development in all fields, the Confucius Institute at Philadelphia University surely has a bright, promising future in store in the years to come.

May the Confucius Institute at Philadelphia University be a paradise for seeking knowledge and a best example for China-Jordan growing friendship.

Thank you!