Students from Beijing Foreign Studies University perform during a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the Eotvos Lorand University Confucius Institute in Budapest, Hungary, April 29, 2026. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

BUDAPEST, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE) marked its 20th anniversary on Wednesday with a ceremony in Budapest, bringing together university leaders, diplomats, educators and students to celebrate two decades of China-Hungary cultural and academic exchanges.

Speaking at ELTE's main ceremonial hall, Rector Lenard Darazs praised the institute for strengthening ties with Chinese universities and institutions. Over the past decades, it has served as a solid and stable bridge between China and Hungary, promoting mutual understanding, supporting more than 50 bilateral partnerships, and expanding exchanges in education, culture and research, he said.

Darazs told Xinhua that ELTE's links with China date back to the 1920s, with the Confucius Institute further broadening cooperation in language teaching, teacher training and academic collaboration. The university aims to deepen cooperation with Chinese institutions in areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability and digital education.

Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao highlighted the institute's role since its establishment. He described the first Confucius Institute in Hungary as a comprehensive platform for language teaching, cultural activities, academic research, and people-to-people exchanges.

Liu Xinlu, vice president of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), said cooperation with ELTE has led to the compilation of Chinese-Hungarian and Hungarian-Chinese dictionaries, the development of teaching materials, and the establishment of a regional Chinese teacher training center.

According to institute director Imre Hamar, the institute's annual enrollment has grown from just over a dozen students to more than 2,000 today. He said that learning Chinese not only helps them understand a different culture and make Chinese friends, but also creates more career opportunities as more Chinese companies operate in Hungary.

At a time of complex international developments, cultural institutions and people-to-people exchanges are increasingly important, he added.

The celebration also featured traditional performances, including a lion dance, music and martial arts demonstrations, showcasing Chinese cultural elements to the audience. ■

Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao speaks during a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE) Confucius Institute in Budapest, Hungary, April 29, 2026. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE) Rector Lenard Darazs speaks during a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the ELTE Confucius Institute in Budapest, Hungary, April 29, 2026. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

Imre Hamar, director of the Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE) Confucius Institute, speaks during a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the ELTE Confucius Institute in Budapest, Hungary, April 29, 2026. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

Guests watch a lion dance performance during a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE) Confucius Institute in Budapest, Hungary, April 29, 2026. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)