The newly appointed ambassador Tian Changchun recently met with the director and teachers of the Confucius Institute Educational-Cultural Center at V. Bryusov State Linguistics University.

Ambassador Tian Changchun in a humorous manner remarked that Shanxi University, entrusted by Hanban, has cooperated with Armenia and established a Confucius Institute. Meanwhile, Armenia has invested in Datong, Shanxi. Invited by President Hu Jintao, the President of Armenia attended the opening ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo at the end of April. Armenian ministers mentioned the Confucius Institute in Armenia to him a great deal on a visit in April. It is said that the spread of Chinese culture has developed widely since the establishing of the Confucius Institute, and that Chinese learning is quite popular amongst Armenian students.

The Chinese director of the institute introduced the establishment of the Confucius Institute to Ambassador Tian. The director expressed his appreciation to Chinese Embassy for their concern showed and help offered in aid of the institute and Chinese teachers. In addition, he talked about the 2010 working plan of the institute and some questions requiring prompt solutions. Ambassador Tian listened to the director’s report and stated that the institute should help local people get to know more about China and Chinese culture through specific and colorful cultural activities. He also stated that the Chinese embassy will join hands with the institute and strive for the opening of a new field of Chinese cultural promotion in Armenia.