A delegation from Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Education arrived in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, in Northwest China on Aug 20 to strengthen the promotion of Chinese language teaching.

Led by Assistant Minister of Education for Kyrgyzstan Almambetova Gulia, the delegation engaged in discussions with their Chinese counterparts regarding Chinese language education.  

The discussion is held in Northwest University headquartered in Xi’an. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

During the discussion, Duan Jianjun, president of the Shaanxi Provincial Chinese Language International Education Research Association, highlighted the significance of this year being the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative and the first year of the China Central-Asia Summit.

“Today, we gather at the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, Xi'an, hoping to contribute to the preservation and development of the friendship between China and Kyrgyzstan, and to promote friendly cooperation between the two countries," stated Duan.

Duan Jianjun gives a speech at the meeting. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Assistant Minister of Education Almambetova Gulia expressed that Kyrgyzstan has experienced a growing interest in learning Chinese in recent years, spanning from primary and secondary schools to universities. This growing demand for international Chinese language teachers prompted her hope that the research association could provide more excellent Chinese teachers to Kyrgyzstan. She also expressed her desire to regularly engage in cooperation discussions with the association, while eagerly anticipating the opening of the China-Kyrgyzstan Railway.

Almambetova Gulia introduces Chinese Language teaching in her country. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Confucius Institute at the Kyrgyz National University for Nationalities has been operating for 15 years now, marking the fruitful outcome of educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Through learning Chinese, many young people in Kyrgyzstan have gained an understanding of China's cultural history, broadening their career choices and realizing their life aspirations.

Chen Zhiguo, dean of the Confucius Institute at the National University for Nationalities in Kyrgyzstan, disclosed that despite Kyrgyzstan's population being only 7 million, the country has already established four Confucius Institutes. Chinese language education has garnered high popularity in primary and secondary schools, as well as universities, with over 10,000 individuals receiving Chinese language training each year.

During the meeting, both parties announced plans to further cooperate in six main areas: advancing education opportunities for Kyrgyz teachers in China, promoting student exchanges between domestic and Kyrgyz universities, enhancing Chinese vocational training in Kyrgyzstan, facilitating exchanges between university students from both countries, organizing youth cultural festivals, forums, and sports events, and establishing cultural centers at both universities.

Following the meeting, an important cooperation agreement was signed between the two delegations.

Lu Hongyan contributed to the story.