Quick development of cultural institutions

Chinese culture institutions also enjoyed rapid development in Germany this year.

In 2006, the first Confucius Institute was established in Germany. Today, there are 10 institutes in the country. Three were set up in 2009 alone.

"The Confucius Institute plays a varied role. It is not only a school that offers Chinese language courses, but also serves as a major platform for candid communications between China and Germany," said Jiang Feng, Minister-Counselor for Education of the Chinese Embassy to Germany.

Statistics shows the number of Germans now learning Chinese was more than 30,000.

In May 2008, the Chinese Culture Center was inaugurated in Berlin.

As the third Chinese Culture Center in Europe, the center has now become another important platform for cultural exchanges between the two countries.

"Activities held by the Center are becoming more and more popular in Germany," said Bai Yang, the director of Berlin Chinese Culture Center.

Bai said the Center's influence over local people was becoming bigger.

"The German people are interested not only in traditional Chinese culture, but also in the current social development of China, people's lives, as well as some of China's basic national policies," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2009)