Learn about China: Confucius Institute opens at UAF

FAISALABAD: The Chinese Confucius Institute providing an opportunity to learn Chinese and know about the country’s culture has started its functions at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Yang Zhijiang and Li Yuxin spoke at the centre’s orientation. Yang said the institute would help strengthen ties between Pakistan and China. He said the centre would also provide an opportunity to learn about the Chinese culture, food and music. Li said the Chinese was easy to learn. He said China had set up 475 Confucius Institutes and 851 Confucius Classrooms in 126 countries having 3.45 million registered students. The number of those learning Chinese across the world soon reach 100 million from less than 30 million 10 years ago, Li said. UAF External Linkages Director Prof Ashfaq Ahmad Chattha said Confucius centre had earlier been set up in Islamabad and Karachi. He said the first class at the UAF’s centre would commence on January 15. He said the centre would prove a good platform for faculty and student exchanges.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2015.