Chinese language and culture center opens at Uzbek university

TASHKENT, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese language and culture center has opened at Jizzakh State Pedagogical University in Uzbekistan amid growing demand for Chinese-speaking professionals.

Zafar Azimov, regional deputy governor, said at the opening ceremony that economic and investment ties with China are steadily expanding, with Chinese-funded factories and companies already operating in Jizzakh, driving demand for professionals proficient in Chinese.

Established jointly with Beijing Language and Culture University and Beijing Financial Street Education Investment Co., Ltd., the center offers students a platform to learn the language and explore Chinese culture, said the Uzbek university.

According to the university, 50 students have enrolled in its Chinese language program this academic year, with four specialists from China serving as instructors.

Both sides expressed hope to establish a Chinese Proficiency Test center at the university to provide standardized language testing.

A visiting Chinese delegation also attended the opening ceremony.