Confucius Institute in UP Diliman to teach Chinese 'the correct way'

MANILA, Philippines - A “Confucius Institute” will soon be put up at the University of the Philippine in Diliman to teach the Chinese language to students and professionals “the correct way.”

UP President Emerlinda Roman revealed this to reporters during the visit to the campus of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao the other day, saying the Chinese government will be the one to finance it.

Liu handed to UP officials 96 books on topics ranging from Chinese culture, lifestyle to politics and economy.

The Chinese Ambassador made a tour of the university, had a dialogue with students and played volleyball with some of them.

According to Roman, the “Confucius Institute” will hopefully be established this year. Roman said the dean of the UP Asian Center visited China last month for this purpose. A memorandum of agreement will soon be signed by Chinese officials and members of the UP academe.

Roman said the institute will primarily function as a language center, teaching Mandarin separately from the different language electives being offered by the other colleges on campus.

“They say the way Mandarin is being taught these days is not correct,” she said. But she said that apart from the language course, they hope that the institute could also offer studies on China, including its culture and music.

Meanwhile, during his interaction with the UP students, Liu said that based on his recent talk with President Aquino, the latter was “very keen on expanding (the Philippines’) bilateral relations (with China).”

Liu said this will be particularly on infrastructure and agriculture.

“He (Mr. Aquino) is now reviewing all the projects and we will be ready to compare notes and work out a general plan,” he said.