COLUMBIA, Mo - The Confucius Institute, which partnered with the Shanghai Normal University, held its opening ceremony on April 8 at the University of Missouri. The institute is the 83rd Confucius Institute in the United States and the 323rd in the world.

President Jin Li of the Shanghai university, Senator Kit Bond, former governor Bob Holden and China Deputy Consul General Kun Lu attended the event. Handy Williamson, vice provost for International Programs at the University of Missouri, presided over the ceremony.

"A village comes together to produce an outcome," said Vice Provost Williamson at the outset of the ceremony. "This opening ceremony brought university officials and Chinese dignitaries together after a year-long application process."

The opening ceremony consisted of speeches, a gift exchange and a Chinese folk music performance by the Shanghai Normal University Folk Music Orchestra.

Speeches were given by Kun, Senator Bond, Holden and others.

"We are neighbors, whether we are separated by the Pacific Ocean or not," said Senator Bond.

President Li, the keynote speaker, said he hopes this partnership will bring a global awareness to both universities and promote economic and trade relations between the two countries.

"The world needs to understand each other and the countries need to communicate with each other," Li said through a translator.

For China Daily