The inauguration of a school teaching Chinese and the ceremony awarding the "Chinese Dream" scholarships on Saturday brought together hundreds of pupils, students, professors, parents, and representatives of the central and local administration in Romania.
Undersecretary of State with the Education Ministry Liliana Preoteasa unveiled the school's name at the Bucharest-based St. Pantelimon Complex for Leisure Activities and Education, together with China's Ambassador in Romania Huo Yuzhen.
"The two events held today are an unprecedented test, as this is the first school in Romania teaching Chinese," Huo said in her speech at the ceremony, thanking the Romanian government, in particular the Education Ministry for their support for Chinese language teaching.
According to her, various Chinese language teaching points in Romania greatly facilitate Chinese language learning, more and more Romanian students can learn Chinese, even in their own communities.
Concerning the granting of the "Chinese Dream" scholarships by over 10 Chinese companies operating in Romania, the ambassador said that Chinese entrepreneurs in Romania are becoming one of the important forces in supporting Chinese language teaching in Romania.
She expressed appreciation for this scholarship program set up by the Chinese entrepreneurs to encourage Romanian and Chinese students.
In her turn, Preoteasa said that the Education Ministry attaches great importance to the foreign language teaching, and will actively promote the pre-university education of Chinese language, thereby ensuring that the universities can recruit students with a higher level.
The "Chinese Dream" scholarships, on its second edition, were granted to Romanian and Chinese students. Romanians are studying Chinese, while the young Chinese are learning Romanian. Besides them, several Romanian and Chinese professors have received diplomas and awards.
The Chinese language learning is an area subject to increasing attention in Romania. Currently there are four Confucius Institutes, as well as over 20 Chinese language teaching points across the country.