Annual Confucius Institute conference to kick off in Kunming

File photo shows Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong (Centre) poses for a group photo with advanced individuals and units at the opening ceremony of the 10th Confucius Institute Conference in Shanghai, China, Dec 6, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

About 2,400 participants from across the world are expected to attend the 11th Confucius Institute Conference in Southwest China's Kunming city over the weekend.

The annual gathering, also called "Davos of the education sector", will invite representatives of universities, diplomats and businessmen from 140 countries.

This year's conference theme is "innovation, cooperation, Inclusion and Sharing". Under the theme, university deans from around the globe will take part in debates in seven sub-forums on such topics as the links between Confucius Institute and "Belt and Road" Initiative.

Chinese vice-premier Liu Yandong will make a keynote speech and present awards at the opening ceremony in the capital city of Yunnan province on Dec 10.