KHUJAND, April 4, 2014, Asia-Plus -- China’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Fan Xianrong has recently visited the Khujand State University to discuss cooperation issues with the University management, according to the Sughd regional administration.

During the meeting, Ambassador Fan reportedly noted that the number of Tajik students studying at higher educational institutions in China is increasing.  Last year alone, China provided 30 additional seats for Tajik students, he said.

Chinese diplomat noted that China had established Confucius Centers in 400 regions around the world.  In Tajikistan, such a center still operates only at Tajik National University in Dushanbe.

Ambassador Fan expressed hope that Confucius Center will be established at the Khujand State University as well.  According to him the Center will give students and teachers at the Khujand State University to study Chinese language and familiarize themselves with culture and traditions of China.

Confucius Institutes are non-profit public institutions aligned with the Government of the People''s Republic of China that aim to promote Chinese language and culture, support local Chinese teaching internationally, and facilitate cultural exchanges.  They operate within established universities, colleges, and secondary schools around the world, providing funding, teachers and educational materials.

Confucius Institute (CI) headquarters are located in Beijing, and the program is overseen by the Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban), a non-profit organization affiliated with the Ministry of Education of the People''s Republic of China and the United Front Work Department.  The institutes operate in cooperation with local affiliate colleges and universities around the world, and financing is shared between Hanban and the host institutions.  CIs develop Chinese language courses, train teachers, hold the HSK Examination (Chinese proficiency test), and provide information about contemporary China.