Chinese language class launched at AU headquarters

The Chinese language class has been officially launched at the African Union (AU), the pan-African bloc said in a press statement on Saturday.

The project within the framework of the China-Africa cooperation was launched by the AU Commission in collaboration with the Addis Ababa Confucius Institute and the Embassy of China in Ethiopia, it said.

A ceremony took place on Wednesday at the AU headquarters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa in the presence of Rekia Mahamoudou, AU acting head of administration and human resources management, AU staff and Chinese officials.

Mahamoudou commended the initiative and thanked Chinese officials for providing the language class to facilitate cultural interaction with China.

The statement quoted a representative of the Confucius Institute as saying that launching the Chinese language programs at the AU is very significant as it will open new windows for Africans to learn and know the Chinese culture.

A film on the history and socio-economic growth of the Chinese people was projected to the participants.