From December 7th to 9th, the first World Chinese Language Conference was held in Beijing, hosted by the Ministry of Education and co-organized by Center for Language Education and Cooperation  (referred to as CLEC), the Chinese International Education Foundation, and the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching. Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended the conference and delivered a keynote speech. Huai Jinpeng, Minister of Education and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, presided over the meeting.