China to set up Confucius Centres, TV channel here

20 October 2011 07:30 pm

China is hoping to establish Confucius Centres and a TV channel in Sri Lanka to popularise the Chinese language and telecast educational programmes, train teachers and school principals, an Education Ministry spokesman said yesterday.

The move comes after Education Minister Bandula Gunawardene had several rounds of talks with his Chinese counterpart Yuan Guiren and Deputy Minster Hao Ping during Mr. Gunawardene’s recent visit to China.

The ministers discussed how bilateral links in education, culture and IT could be strengthened and agreed to set up Confucius Centres in Sri Lanka to launch training programmes by way of a TV channel.

Mr. Guiren responded to a request by Minister Gunawardana to renovate the Lumbini Theatre.

He pledged to increase the number of scholarships offered to Sri Lankan students by the Chinese government.

Minister Gunawardana who visited China on an invitation by Mr. Guiren visited several educational institutions and got a first-hand experience of education methods in China. He also met Sri Lankan students who are studying at Chinese educational institutions. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)