The Chinese Language and Culture Education Foundation of China (CLCEF) received Monday a 20 million yuan (US$2.9 million) donation to encourage overseas Chinese youths to study the country's language and culture.

The donation was made by Agile Property, a real estate company from Hong Kong. In January 2008, the foundation received its largest yet donation of 30 million yuan from the same company.

A spokesman with the foundation said the overall 50 million yuan would be used to train Chinese language teachers and support overseas Chinese youths to study Chinese.

According to the foundation, most overseas Chinese have the tradition to study and inherit Chinese culture. However, limited by local sources, overseas Chinese schools have encountered various problems, including shortage of money and teachers and outdated teaching materials.

Li Haifeng, director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, said, "Chinese culture is the bridge linking overseas Chinese friends with their native country, and it's of great importance to carry out Chinese culture education as a key part of our overseas Chinese affairs."

The non-profit foundation was established in September 2004 under the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, aiming to support the overseas education of Chinese language and culture.

(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2009)