Stockholm University and China's National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (NOCFL) signed letter of intent on June 21 to establish North Europe Stockholm Confucius College. It will be the first Confucius college in Europe.

As mentioned in the letter of intent, the purpose of the college is to develop and promote Chinese teaching in northern Europe, and to promote exchange and cooperation between China and northern European countries in this field. Additionally, the college will be dedicated to pushing forward cultural and academic exchanges between China and northern European countries and to promoting the research on China-related subjects.

Chinese official said that the Confucius College bears great significance since it is the first Confucius college in Europe and moreover, it marks the new stage China's endeavor in promoting Chinese education. He believed, that there will be more and more Confucius colleges in other European countries.

Head of the Chinese Department of Stockholm University also stressed the significance of the college which, as he said, will actively promote the Chinese teaching in Sweden even throughout Europe. He added that there are more and more people in Sweden longing to learning Chinese, but the Chinese Department of Stockholm University can not meet their need with limited teaching resources.

Sources say, "North Europe Stockholm Confucius College" will start in October 2004. Fudan University in east China's Shanghai and some northern European universities will be the members of the college.

By People's Daily Online