Nepal will soon see its first Confucius Institute, said the Office of Chinese Language Council International on Thursday, following its agreement with Kathmandu University to build a Chinese-language institute there.

It is now estimated that by 2010, 500 Confucius Institutes will exist around the world, up from 120 today spread across more than 50 countries.

As the popularity of Chinese studies continues to grow around South Asia, Confucius Institutes are soon to be established in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan helping to promote educational ties between China and other Asian countries.

China's ambassador to Nepal, Sun Heping, praised the upcoming Confucius Institute. He hailed it as a bridge to closer Sino-Nepalese friendship and increasing opportunities for Nepalese people to learn about China.

 (Chinanews February 15, 2007)