Second Confucius Institute Inaugurated in Nepal

Local artists perform during the inauguration ceremony for the Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, Nepal, Aug. 16, 2022. The Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University, the second of its kind in Nepal, was inaugurated on Tuesday in the Nepali capital Kathmandu, with the stakeholders pledging more resources to make it a better platform for cooperation. [Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua]

The Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University, the second of its kind in Nepal, was inaugurated on Tuesday in the Nepali capital Kathmandu, with the stakeholders pledging more resources to make it a better platform for cooperation.

Though initiated in 2019, the university's institute hit a two-year hiatus from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Liu Yueming, the Chinese director of the institute.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony via video link, Nepali Minister for Education, Science and Technology Devendra Paudel noted that the Nepali side has recognized the importance of the Chinese language and listed it as an optional course for students from grade nine to grade 12 starting this year.

The minister believes that the learning of each other's languages and cultures helps elevate relationship between the two countries. He voiced hope that the Confucius Institute will be helpful for language teaching, cultural exchanges, bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding.

"The Chinese language has become very necessary for Nepal's economic and social development, investment, tourism and higher education," Leela Mani Paudyal, former Nepali ambassador to China, said on the occasion.

"We believe that China's development is an opportunity for us," he added.

More than 30,000 learners have been registered with the Confucius Institutes at Kathmandu University and Tribhuvan University, contributing manpower needed to Nepal's tourism, infrastructure, business and trade sectors in particular, noted Hou Yanqi, the Chinese ambassador to Nepal.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony via video link, Hou voiced hope that the two institutes would become a window for displaying the Chinese culture, a bridge to promote cultural exchanges and a bond for China-Nepal friendship.

Dharma Kanta Baskota, vice chancellor of Tribhuvan University, said that the Confucius Institute focuses on high-quality language and cultural projects.