A total of 100 Chinese students have recently graduated from Spanish language courses after their studies in Cuba as part of bilateral educational exchanges between the two countries, local media reported on Thursday.

At a graduation ceremony held at University of Havana on Wednesday and attended by Vice President of the Council of Ministers Ricardo Cabrisas and Vice Minister of Higher Education Oberto Santin, Director of the course Olga Ofelia Gomez lauded "the discipline, the will, the effort, and the independence" of the Chinese students.

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Rongxian said educational exchanges between the two countries are increasing and becoming more productive.

Zhao thanked the Cuban government, the Communist Party of Cuba and the Cuban people for their hospitality to the Chinese students.

The courses, designed to improve communication skills in Spanish, opened in September 2008 for students majoring in Hispanic philology from 20 Chinese provinces.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2009)