CHENGDU, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government encourages cross-cultural exchanges, and supports both Chinese sides and their foreign partners in making Confucius Institute a success, Vice Premier Sun Chunlan said on Tuesday.

Sun, who is also chair of the Council of the Confucius Institute Headquarters, made the remarks at the opening of the 13th Confucius Institute Conference in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Sun spoke highly of the contribution made by the Confucius Institute in catering to people's need of learning Chinese and serving the economic and trade cooperation between China and other countries.

"Through joint efforts of both Chinese sides and their foreign partners, the education quality of the Confucius Institute has steadily increased, with increasingly active cultural exchanges and continuously enhanced service capability," she said.

To build a community with a shared future for humanity and push forward prosperity of all nations, languages need to play a unique role in enhancing understanding, building consensus, promoting cooperation and deepening friendship, Sun said.

She called on the Confucius Institute to innovate teaching methods, nurture more talent familiar with other countries, and build platforms for country-to-country friendly exchanges.

About 1,500 representatives from 154 countries and regions attended the conference.