Luxembourg will make a policy to encourage Chinese language education, said Erna Hennicot-Schoepges, minister of culture, higher education and scientific research of Luxembourg in Beijing Thursday.

Hennicot-Schoepges, attending the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Conference on Cultures and Civilizations which opened Wednesday, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

Many Luxembourg students are learning the Chinese language in other European countries as there is no Chinese course offered in Luxembourg's higher learning institutions.

Cultural exchanges and cooperation between Luxembourg and China have been developing rapidly over recent years.

In 2001, an exhibition of Luxembourg arts was held in Beijing and Shanghai successfully. Another major exhibition of Chinese museum arts has been planned to be held in Luxembourg in 2005.

All countries should maintain cultural diversity and Luxembourgis ready to play an active role in promoting mutual understanding and exchanges across the Asian and European continents, said the Luxembourg minister.
 
(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2003)