The Opening Ceremony of Confucius Institute (CI) at University of Michigan (UM) was officially held on Nov. 5th, 2009 local time in America. As one of more than 60 CIs in the United States, the CI-UM was co-established by RUC and UM to serve as the national CI leader across the country.

The all-day event began at 10:00am in the morning with a lion dance at the front square of the UM Museum of Art, in which a warming-up Chinese folk orchestra was performed by RUC Youth Chinese Troupe later. The opening ceremony of CI-UM was officially held at 11:00am.

RUC Vice-President Prof. Chen Yulu signed the Implementation Agreement with UM President Dr. Mary Sue Coleman, and presented the “Orchid Pavilion Collection” silk woven landscape to the CI-UM.

RUC Vice-President Prof. Chen Yulu, on behalf of President Ji Baocheng, said RUC would try every effort to shape the CI-UM as an outstanding model for CIs all over the world. The CI-UM would serve as a communicative platform for the two universities to promote the traditional Chinese culture and arts. Meanwhile, he advocated the society to concern more about the development of social sciences and humanity.

Prof. Lester Monts, UM Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Musicology, presided over the ceremony. Ms. Xu Lin, Director of Hanban, sent her congratulatory letter to the opening of CI-UM. UM President Dr. Mary Sue Coleman and Mr. Huang Ping, Consul-General from the Chicago office of the Consulate General of China, addressed respectively.

RUC Youth Chinese Orchestra including 17 students showcased a wonderful Chinese folk concert at Rackham Auditorium of UM. Prof. Lester Monts, UM Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, was very excited and highly praised the concert.

The “Chinese Biz News” in the United State headlined RUC’s visit to UM on Oct. 31st, 2009. Mr. Guo Haiying, Director of RUC Alumni Affairs Office, paid a special visit to the largest and best donated Renmin University of China Alumni Association of Michigan (RUCAA-MI) and had a meeting with Deputy Director Ms. Jo Rumsey. He also met with Cheng Xiaoying, Liu Jinyun and some other RUCAA-MI alumni.