A Confucius Institute to be jointly developed by Inner Mongolia Normal University (IMNU) and a Russian university is approved at the 13th Confucius Institute Conference in Chengdu, the capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, on Dec 4. [Photo/imnu.edu.cn]

A Confucius Institute to be jointly built by Inner Mongolia Normal University (IMNU) with a Russian university was approved at the 13th Confucius Institute Conference in Chengdu, the capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, on Dec 4.

Zhao Guocheng, the deputy director-general of Hanban and deputy chief executive of Confucius Institute Headquarters, said that the new institute would provide more Chinese teachers for Russia's Central and Eastern Siberia areas, build a platform for students to learn Chinese and experience Chinese Culture, and create new opportunities for business and culture in the region.

The new Confucius Institute is expected to not only deepen ties between China and Russia, but also to have a far-reaching impact on the spread of China's language and culture.