The first Chinese language and cultural center in Indonesia, the Confucius Institute, will be established aimed at introducing the Chinese language and culture among Indonesians.

The institute will be established through cooperation between Beijing Hanban -- a Beijing-based organization appointed by the Chinese government to build Chinese language centers worldwide -- and Bina Terampil Insan Persada (BTIP), a Jakarta-based Chinese language course.

The establishment of the Confucius Institute was marked by the agreement signing Friday between Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Lan Lijun and BTIP's director Philip Liwan Pangkey.

Lan Lijun said in his speech that the Confucius Institute was aimed at introducing the Chinese language and culture among Indonesians in a hope that it would enhance relationship between the two countries.

"We expect more Indonesians to be able to speak Chinese and understand Chinese culture in the hope that it will foster the strategic partnership that our governments have built," the ambassador said.

Currently, there are 190 Confucius Institutes established in more than 60 countries worldwide.

Philip said that the Confucius Institute would be established in BTIP's center in Central Jakarta. The language course has been established since 1996.

"We are very pleased to be appointed by the Beijing Hanban to establish the institute. This is an acknowledgment of our efforts for years to spread the use of the Chinese language in Indonesia," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 3, 2007)