Chinese Center opens in Azerbaijan's capital

A Chinese Center started functioning in the capital of Azerbaijan Baku, at the state Academy of Public Administration on Tuesday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, rector of the Academy Urkhan Alakbarov said the Chinese Center will foster friendly scientific and cultural relations between China and Azerbaijan.

As a result of cooperation between the Academy and the Embassy of China in Baku, seven teachers of this prestigious Azerbaijani university have served internship at the government structures of China. "A memorandum on cooperation between the Beijing Academy of Public Administration and the Academy of Public Administration of Azerbaijan was signed," Alakbarov stated.

Ambassador of China to Azerbaijan Hong Jiuyin, in turn, said that opening of the Chinese Center will promote friendship between the two nations and universities, and encourage the citizens of Azerbaijan in learning Chinese language. "The Embassy of China will entirely support the functioning of this Center," said the diplomat. The Academy of Public Administration of Azerbaijan is a state-run institution for undergraduate and graduate studies. It also serves as a training center by offering full and short-term courses to the civil servants in order to improve their professionalism. Admissions are around 250 undergraduates and 50 graduates per year.

As China's economy has been growing fast in recent years, more and more Azerbaijanis get interested in China and some even seek better career prospects in China.

The Chinese Center will promote Chinese language and culture, foster an understanding of China and create more learning opportunities for the Azerbaijani students.