China and Afghanistan Wednesday signed in Kabul an agreement on
establishing a Confucius Institute at Kabul University to promote
Chinese language and culture education in the Central Asian
country.
The Confucius Institute, a specially-designed organization for
meeting people's demand for access to Chinese language and
information about China, an emerging economy in East Asia with
increasing global influence, has expanded its reach to over 60
countries with around 200 outlets across the world, according to
Chinese officials.
The proposed outlet at Kabul University, the first such one in
Afghanistan, will be jointly funded by Kabul University, a premier
Afghan government-run university, and the Beijing-based Confucius
Institute Headquarters, a non-profit education promotion
organization.
"It will not only satisfy the growing need of Afghan young
people in learning Chinese, but also make contribution to
Sino-Afghan social and culture exchanges, and further help to
enhance economic cooperation between the two friendly neighbors,"
said Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Mr. Yang Houlan, while
hailing the signing of the agreement.
Dr. Rahman Ashraf, Chancellor of Kabul University, who signed
the agreement representing the Afghan side, said his university
will offer all possible convenience and cooperation to facilitate
the early operation of the Confucius Institute.
Ashraf thanked the Chinese side for the assistance in Afghan
education field, saying the fresh move will help to deepen the
friendly relations between the two countries.
(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2008)
