Chinanews, Feb. 15 - The first Confucius institute in Nepal will be built soon, said the Office of Chinese Language Council International on Thursday, as the office had signed a contract with Kathmandu University to build the Chinese-language institute.

 

It is learned that by 2010, there will be 500 Confucius Institutes around the world.

 

Chinese studies are becoming more popular recently in south Asia. Confucius Institutes will also be established in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan to promote educational communication between China and other Asian countries.

 

China's ambassador to Nepal, Sun Heping, said the Confucius Institute will be a bridge to deepen Sino-Nepalese friendship and make it convenient for Nepalese people to know more about China.

 

There are now 120 Confucius institutes in the world spread across more than 50 countries.