The Confucius Institute has started to operate in Malta, providing Chinese language courses at the University, Education Minister Dolores Cristina said in reply to a parliamentary question.

She said the setting up of the Malta branch of the institute was agreed with the University of Malta last February.

In June the Rector visited the University of Xiemen and signed an implementation Agreement.

Mrs Cristina said the Malta branch will be officially opened shortly. The purpose of the institute is to promote the teaching of Chinese and facilitate an exchange of lecturers between China and Malta in various areas.

The headquarters of the Confucius Institute will provide a start-up fund of $150,000 and educational resources including online courses, 3,000 books and audio-visual equipment and also pay for instructors.

The University of Malta will cover the administrative costs of the institute in Malta.

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