500 Confucius institutes worldwide

The first Confucius Classroom in Australia's island state of Tasmania opens on Nov 18, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

A total of 1.9 million people are studying Chinese language and culture in 500 Confucius institutes and 1,000 Confucius classrooms in 134 countries, Wang Yongli, deputy chief of Confucius Institute Headquarters said on Thursday.

More than 2,300 people, including representatives from universities and Confucius Institutes around the world, diplomats and businessmen, will attend the 10th Confucius Institute Conference in Shanghai on Dec 6, Wang added.

Participants will discuss the institutes' future development, he said.

The Confucius Institute, a non-profit public educational organization under China's Ministry of Education, provides funding, teachers and teaching materials for overseas Chinese language and cultural courses.

Confucius institutes, first established in 2004, usually work with local universities and colleges in providing courses. Confucius classrooms focus on primary, middle and high schools.

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