Program trains EU officials in Chinese language, economy  

30名欧盟官员来华研修 其中22人负责中国事务

Beijing (CNS) -- A training program attended by 30 European Union officials kicked off at the Beijing Foreign Studies University on Sunday.

The EU officials, 20 of whom are in charge of Chinese affairs, come from 16 EU organizations, including the Council of the European Union and the European External Action Service.

During their week-long stay in Beijing and Xi'an, the officials will attend several activities, including Chinese language training classes and lectures on the Chinese economy, culture and educational system.

The event is designed to boost mutual understanding and trust between China and the European Union, said Zhang Xiuqin, head of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges.

Hosted by the National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (NOCFL), the program is a follow-up to a high-level mechanism for cultural exchange and dialogue established by China and the EU in February 2012.