In a harmonious world (hexie shijie), peoples everywhere work together to create peace and prosperity. In today’s global climate of economic and political crises, harmony seems like an impossible aspiration; but the United States and China are working through tensions toward cooperation. One method of furthering international understanding is cultural exchange, and the University of New Hampshire has sent many students to study and conduct research in China while many Chinese students have come to campus. Recently UNH established a Confucius Institute, an international Chinese initiative that pairs Chinese institutions with foreign schools to promote Chinese language and culture.

UNH celebrated the opening of its Confucius Institute (CI) in partnership with Chengdu University in Sichuan Province on October 26, 2010. The opening ceremony in the Memorial Union Building drew an overflow crowd. When UNH President Huddleston shook hands during the ceremonies with President Zhou of Chengdu University, the act represented a milestone in the expansion of instruction and knowledge of Chinese language and culture at UNH. Dr. Lisa MacFarlane, the senior vice provost for academic affairs, believes the relationship with the CI and Chengdu University will also offer students “outstanding opportunities” to study, work and do research in China.