China and Russia have agreed to establish a Confucius Institute in Russia's Kazanian State University, Chinese education authorities said on Tuesday (Mar 20).

Approved by the Office of Chinese Language Council International, the Normal University of central China's Hunan Province will be in charge of Chinese language and culture programs for the institute.

According to officials of the Hunan university, the agreement will make Kazanian State University, an 203-year old institution, the host of the country's third Confucius Institute.

There are a total of 10,000 people in Russia currently enrolled in Chinese-language training programs.

The Confucius Institute in Kazanian State University, once set up, will offer a series of Chinese-language programs and training to Chinese-language teachers for primary and middle schools as well as colleges.

Confucius, born in 551 B.C., was a great Chinese thinker, philosopher, statesman and educator. He was also the founder of Confucianism.

Advocating the building of a harmonious society through individuals' self-refinement in manners and taste, Confucianism dominated the Chinese society for centuries and was spread to Europe in the late 16th century.

In an effort to promote the Chinese language and Chinese culture abroad, the Chinese government has set up 140 Confucius Universities in 52 countries and regions worldwide.

This year, China plans to set up another 60 Confucius Institutes around the world to help foreigners learn Chinese.

Editor: Wing