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Following up on two years of strong growth, more is to be done to ensure that the Confucius Institute continues to represent Chinese language and culture by opening new branches across the world, officials said.

 

The quality of the education at the centers should be given top priority in the expansion plans, said Xu Lin, chief of the Office of Chinese Language Council International.

 

She made the remarks yesterday at the launch ceremony for the Office of Confucius Institute at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

 

"This step further cements the university's role as a flagship Chinese partner," said Xu.

 

All Confucius Institutes involve partnerships between universities in China and overseas. The new office is part of the effort to improve the performance of the institutes.

 

As of last month, 156 Confucius Institutes had been opened in 55 countries and regions.

 

Hao Ping, president of the Beijing Foreign Studies University, said the office will select and train teachers, track and supervise the centers' performance and develop textbooks.

 

"The establishment of the office reflects our will to standardize and professionalize the administration of the institutes," said Hao.

 

Drawing on its teaching resources, the university has helped establish 11 Confucius Institutes in nine countries.

 

At the launch ceremony, Angel Orbetsov, the Bulgarian ambassador to China, said he was excited that his home country was the first East European country to host a Confucius Institute.

 

"I was so proud when Li Changchun unveiled the Confucius Institute in Bulgaria last year," he said.

 

Xu said the opening of new branches of the Confucius Institute had become popular functions among top leaders conducting overseas visits.

 

The institute is looking to diversify its language-heavy curriculum by adding more culture and arts classes.

 

Hao said each branch of the institute would receive funding from the government during its first three years, but then would have to find ways to become self-sufficient.

 

(China Daily June 1, 2007)