Confucius institute promotes Chinese language in Kenya

The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi and Kenya's Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) have expressed intentions to jointly launch textbooks of Chinese language as more Kenyan students are attending Chinese classes.

The Confucius Institute has donated books and a multi-media television screen to the KICD to establish a Chinese language corner there.

Speaking during the donation ceremony, Kenyan officials said to promote the books from the Confucius Institute among Kenyans will boost their awareness of the Chinese literature, culture and philosophy.

"Our partnership with the Confucius Institute has entered a new phase and the latest donation of the books and other teaching aid will promote cross-cultural understanding," said KICD Chairman Erastus Kinyanjui.

Sino-Kenya cooperation in education, arts and culture has blossomed in the last decade.

Kinyanjui said the establishment of Confucius Institutes at leading Kenyan public universities has fostered people-to-people exchange and Kenyans' appreciation of Chinese culture.

"We value the friendship with China and intend to collaborate with the Confucius Institute to launch more textbooks of Chinese language as there is a huge number of Kenyans keen to enroll in Chinese language classes," said Kinyanjui, adding that 18 members of the staff at his agency have enrolled for Chinese language classes at the Confucius Institute in Nairobi.

Guo Hong, director with the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, said the access to more Chinese-learning books will promote the understanding of China among Kenyans.

"In the future, we intend to publish books that tell Kenyan stories in Chinese," she added.