Confucius institute stages "Chinese Open Day" in Cameroon

The Confucius Institute at the University of Yaounde II in Cameroon organized a "Chinese Open Day" program Wednesday to enrich students' knowledge on the Chinese culture.

A secondary school director at CEM-Bastos school, a nursery, primary and secondary school where the program was run, told Xinhua they opened Chinese class in September last year for secondary students, and more than 40 students are learning Chinese at the moment.

"China is a great country. We will learn from China to turn Cameroon into an emerging country in 2035," said the director, who only identified himself as Dieudonne.

He said the Chinese language is welcomed by the students in the school and they plan to introduce the Chinese language next year for primary students.

The 250 students in CEM-Bastos had a opportunity in the Chinese Open Day to experience Chinese culture, like paper cutting, calligraphy, tea making and dumpling making.

Fopi Nohotio, a girl from class three in the secondary school, said she likes to study Chinese. In the program, Nohotio said she liked dumpling making most and learned how to make it. "It is very tasty. I like very much," she said.

Yu Guoyang, Chinese director in Cameroon Confucius institute, told Xinhua the institute was established by Zhejiang Normal University and University of Yaounde II in 2007. The institute has around 10,200 students, including those in 25 Chinese teaching centers established in schools and universities. Endit