Rector of the Baku State University (BSU) Abel Maharramov (L) shakes hands with Charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan Jiang Xiaoyang during the opening ceremony of the Confucius Institute at BSU, in Baku, Azerbaijan, April 22, 2011. The Confucius Institute was co-held by BSU and Anhui University in eastern China. (Xinhua/Liu Yang)

BAKU, April 22 (Xinhua) — The Confucius Institute opened Friday at the Baku State University (BSU) of Azerbaijan.

BSU and Anhui University in eastern China reached an agreement on joint creation of the Confucius Institute in Azerbaijan’s capital.

Addressing the event at the opening ceremony, rector of the BSU Abel Maharramov said opening of the Confucius Institute would make a “great” contribution to further strengthening of friendship ties and deepening of cooperation between the two nations.

According to the agreement, Anhui University will send highly qualified teachers of Chinese language and literature every year, as well as supply textbooks, manuals and audiovisual aids to organize the teaching process. Besides, students of the university will have a chance to practice at the Chinese university every year.

Charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan Jiang Xiaoyang addressed the ceremony and wished success to the Confucius Institute.

Deputy Minister of Education Elmar Gasimov and vice president of the Anhui University Niu Liwen were also present at the ceremony.

Confucius institutes are non-profit public institutions that aim to promote Chinese language and culture and support local Chinese teaching internationally.

After establishing a pilot institute in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in June 2004, the first Confucius institute opened on Nov. 21, 2004 in Seoul, Republic of Korea and many more have been established in other countries, such as the U.S., Germany and Sweden, where Chinese enjoys an increasing popularity. As of July 2010, there were 316 Confucius institutes and 337 Confucius Classrooms in 94 countries and regions.