About the Institute
The Confucius Institute in Brussels was established in March 2005 and has been fully operational since September 2006. Located in the Schaerbeek district of Brussels, the Institute is housed within the premises of the Belgian-Chinese Association and occupies nearly 1,000 square meters. Facilities include four classrooms, two offices, a library and bookshop with over 3,000 volumes, and a dedicated kitchen used for Chinese culinary demonstrations and classes. Since its founding, the Institute has welcomed more than 6,000 enrolled students.
Programs and Activities
Chinese Language Teaching & Proficiency Tests
The Institute offers a broad range of Chinese language courses for primary and secondary school students, university students, and adult learners. These include general Chinese courses at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, as well as Business Chinese, HSK examination preparation, and cultural skills courses covering Chinese painting, calligraphy, tai chi, qigong, weiqi (Go), and Chinese culinary arts. Intensive summer programs in Chinese language for children and adults, as well as calligraphy courses, are held annually. Enrolment for the 2025 academic year stood at 220 students.
HSK proficiency examinations are administered on a regular basis throughout the year.
Faculty Development & Academic Research
The Institute periodically organizes in-service training workshops and professional development seminars for local Chinese language teachers. An application for the establishment of an overseas internship site in collaboration with Beijing Foreign Studies University is currently under way, designed to support both teacher career development and the broader advancement of international Chinese language education.
In addition to its teaching activities, the Institute publishes a bilingual periodical, Chine Actuelle, in both French and Dutch, issued four times per year. The journal serves as a platform for Sinology, Chinese language and culture studies, and broader China-related research, offering an important academic resource for local readers seeking to deepen their understanding of China. Annual academic lectures and book presentations further contribute to scholarly dialogue on Chinese language, culture, and contemporary affairs.
Cultural Programs
The Institute organizes more than 20 cultural events each year, attracting around 700 participants. Regular programming includes Chinese New Year celebrations, the “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition, academic lectures, performing arts showcases, and exhibitions of Chinese calligraphy and painting.
The Institute works closely with a network of partner organizations. Collaborative events have included the Belgian Youth Chinese Song Competition, the China–Europe Art Dialogue Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition, and a public Chinese medicine and acupuncture outreach clinic. These activities reach a diverse audience—local residents, members of the Chinese diaspora, international students, and policymakers—and serve to strengthen people-to-people ties between Belgium, China, and the wider European community.
Signature Initiatives
The Institute integrates language learning with professional and cultural contexts. Its Chinese + curriculum includes Business Chinese courses and regular Chinese Corner conversation sessions. Through partnerships with the China Guoyun Wenhua Academy of Calligraphy and Painting and performing arts groups from Chinese universities, the Institute also co-presents concerts and art exhibitions that bring together Chinese and Western artistic traditions.
Looking Ahead
The Institute is committed to deepening its role as a center for China–Europe cultural exchange and knowledge sharing, with a particular focus on its unique position at the heart of the European Union. Future priorities include expanding youth-oriented programs and scholarship opportunities to support Belgian students in developing lasting Chinese language skills and intercultural competency, as well as integrating digital teaching tools to make Chinese language learning more accessible and flexible. The Institute aims to develop a hybrid model combining in-person and online provision, further extending its reach across Belgium and the broader European region.
Contact
Chinese Director: FU Rong
Email: sec@belchin.be
Website: www.belchin.be
Phone: +32 2 803 80 33 / +32 2 803 80 38
Address: Avenue Paul Deschanel 92, 1030 Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium
