The Confucius Institute's mission is to disseminate Chinese language and culture. It is part of a global network currently comprising more than three hundred institutes.

Confucius Institutes are partnerships between a Chinese higher education institution and a local partner institution outside China.

In 2011, Howest and Zhejiang Gongshang University in Hangzhou joined forces to establish a Confucius Institute.

On April 19, 2012, the institute was officially opened in Bruges in the presence of Liu Yandong of the Chinese State Council.

The Confucius Institute aims to be the province of West Flanders' window to China. With its language and culture offerings, it targets university students, interested laypeople, and anyone coming into contact with China for professional or personal reasons.

The Confucius Institute also aims to strengthen the Chinese presence in West Flanders by organizing or participating in cultural events and by supporting training, education, and advice regarding China.