Opening with a performance of Scottish bagpipes, the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools was inaugurated at The Barony Hall, University of Strathclyde, at 10 o'clock on 6th June. The new Confucius Institute is a collaboration between Hanban, the Tianjin Education Committee, and SCILT (Scotland’s National Centre for Languages) based at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.

In attendance were Mme Xu Lin, Director General of Hanban, Mr Michael Russell, MSP Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Professor Jim McDonald, Principal of the University of Strathclyde, Mr. Li Ruiyou, Consul General of the Consulate for the PRC in Edinburgh, Mr. Shen Yang, Minister Counsellor of Education of the Chinese Embassy in London, Sarah Breslin, Director of this new Confucius Institute and the guests from Tianjin Education Committee. Meanwhile, approximately 200 people attended the signing ceremony and inauguration, including the representatives from each of the Confucius Classrooms in Scotland as well as the Chinese teachers from Tianjin.

During the inauguration, Professor Jim McDonald, Principal of the University of Strathclyde, Mme Xu Lin, Director General of Hanban, Mr Michael Russell, MSP Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and Sarah Breslin, Director of SCILT and of the Confucius Institute gave speeches respectively. They share the belief that pupils in Scotland's schools should have the chance to access Chinese language and culture, and get deeper understanding of China's history and culture through bilateral efforts, in an effort to promote mutual understanding and friendship. In addition, Mme, Xu Lin announced three new Confucius Classrooms: The Confucius Classroom Hub at City of Edinburgh Council, the Confucius Classroom Hub at Falkirk Council, and the Confucius Classroom Hub at South Lanarkshire Council.

Their speeches were followed by wonderful performances from some of the Confucius classrooms, with the Chinese songs from nursery pupils especially amazing all the guests. Professor Anthony McGrew, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Strathclyde, drew the event to a close with words of thanks.