Beijing City International School (BCIS), the first international school invested by a Chinese businessman, was opened Sunday, which has so far recruited more than 100 students from 21 countries and regions.

With 460 million yuan (about US$57 million) of investment by Ni Haohua, president of the Landgent Group, a real estate enterprise in east China's Zhejiang Province, the school is in Chaoyang District where foreigners densely inhabit and foreign embassies are located.

There are already 12 international schools before the BCIS, all of which were invested by foreigners.

"Arrival of BCIS marks not only a distinct but exciting addition to the educational landscape of Beijing," said the school head Chrisopher Edmunds.

Edmunds said the school strives to provide a unique blend of education which draws up the best of both the western and the eastern.

Chinese language and culture education is the main feature of this Chinese invested school. All students are encouraged to study Chinese language.

Edmunds also noted that it is very significant to set an international school in China. Children from different countries receive internationalized education and learn to have a better understanding and respect to other civilizations.

Tao Xiping, vice chairman of China's education institute, said that international school helps student possess solid knowledge base, broader culture vision and skillful language ability.

(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2005)