What they say at TESOL China

Zhou Shuchun, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily

"Domestic English education in the new era requires that we become more aware of the need to uphold political integrity, shoulder historical responsibilities, and make active efforts through our wisdom and strength. To this end, we should lay more emphasis on fostering students' patriotism, family ethics and humanistic quality, drawing upon the strengths of our own and other civilizations to realize all-round development."

Jiang Feng, Party secretary of Shanghai International Studies University

"Subjects like foreign languages and literature can promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning of different civilizations. Our university will continue to further reform the foreign language education program to cultivate globally competitive talents who can master multiple foreign languages and gain expertise in professional fields."

Li Yansong, president of Shanghai International Studies University

"The assembly set up an international and professional platform for local frontline English teachers to learn from and exchange experiences with one another and their peers from abroad. They will also look ahead to the new development trends of English education."

Li Hai, deputy director of the Ministry of Education's Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges

"Foreign language education in China is a mirror of the country's opening up to the outside world and a bridge for China to understand the world and vice versa. After the country underwent reform and opening-up in the past 40 years, its foreign language education has achieved great progress and has played and will keep playing a crucial role in elevating the level of the country's internationalization of education, advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, and facilitating the communication and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations."

Zong Wa, deputy director general of the China Education Association for International Exchanges

"It is fairly meaningful that participants will discuss China's reform and development in English teaching in the new era against the global backdrop of framing development rules for foreign language education. It renders more thoughts on the current exciting period of historical opportunities for English education."

Christopher Powers, executive director of the TESOL International Association

"I'm delighted to be here with so many English teachers who speak Chinese and many other languages. Our partnership with China Daily and especially the TESOL China Assembly is important to help the TESOL International Association meet its strategic objectives, which include increasing the global presence and connectivity, increasing the knowledge and expertise of English language teachers, and helping teachers to advocate on behalf of themselves, their students, and other things that are important to them and the profession."