The inauguration ceremony of “the Luleå Confucius Institute” hosted by Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Luleå city of Sweden and Luleå University of Technology was successfully held at Luleå University of Technology on May 5, 2012. More than 100 VIP attended the ceremony, including Mr. Pyleula Eriksson, the Provincial Governor of Norrbottens län, Karl Petersen, the Mayor of Luleå, Yvonne Stålnacke, the Mayor of Luleå, Johan Sterte, President of Luleå University of Technology, Vice-President of LKAB (the biggest Iron ore mining company), Zhou Ji, President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Zhang Ning, Counsellor for Education of Chinese Ambassador in Sweden Embassy, Xu Delong, President of Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, and Wang Xiaochang, Vice-President of Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology. The Provincial Governor of Norrbottens län, Mr. Pyleula and the President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Zhou Ji jointly unveil the plaque for the “the Luleå Confucius Institute”.

With the development of China 's Economy and the increase in international communication, the worldwide demand for learning Chinese has increased dramatically. Refer to the experiences of popularizing Chinese language in UK , France , Germany and Spain , Chinese Government has established the non-profit educational institute to teach Chinese and spread Chinese culture – “Confucius Institute”. On November 21 st , 2004, the first Confucius Institute was established in Seoul , Korea . On March 8 th , 2012, the agreement signing ceremony was held in Beijing to apply for hosting “the Luleå Confucius Institute” in Luleå by Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Luleå city of Sweden and Luleå University of Technology. This indicates o ur success in biddening to host the Confucius Institute abroad.

At the ceremony, Yvonne Stålnacke, Mayor of Luleå, Johan Sterte, President of Luleå University of Technology and Xu Delong, President of Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology gave speeches, respectively. Ms. Yvonne Stålnacke said that the establishment of “the Luleå Confucius Institute” will open the gate for the Enterprises and the academic community to the further cooperation with China . It will also be the best base to teach Chinese and spread Chinese culture. President Johan Sterte said that Luleå University of Technology, Luleå city of Sweden , Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters) and Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology will work hard to construct the Confucius Institute to meet the requirments.

President Xu Delong of Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology said that the establishment of the Institute is to learn Chinese and Swedish culture, to pass their essence and to make them to be carried forward. He expects that the culture and educational exchange and the cooperation in the field of scientific research will be strengthened by the establishment of “the Luleå Confucius Institute”. He hopes that this will turn a new page and also add bricks and tiles for the friendship between China and Sweden .

President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Mr. Zhou Ji congratulated the establishment of the Institute. He said that China has established the first Confucius Institute in Stockholm in Sweden in February 2005. And now the 356 th Confusious Institute in the world, the 127 th in Europe and the 4 th in Sweden is established in Luleå. He expressed his gratitude to all the friends and staff for their efforts toward the establishment of the Institute. And he also wishes that the Institute will work better and better in the future.

Ms. Xu Lin, Director of Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters) has sent her congratulation through mail for the unveiling ceremony. She expects that both sides cooperate sincerely to the Institute may become a the bridge for both sides to strengthen the educational cooperation between China and Sweden .

After the inauguration ceremony, the first council of the Institute was held. The Director-General and the Vice Director-General were elected and the Dean and Vice Dean were also nominated. The Implementation Agreement has been signed and the work has been clearly divided. They also discussed about the operational specification, financial control system, teaching and administrative management regulations. And the time and place and time of the second council of the Institute were also determined.

The Chinese delegates have visited the laboratory of Luleå University of Technology and then attended the Reciprocal Banquet held by Luleå city of Sweden for the establishment of the Institute.