Ancient sage serves as cultural ambassador

Since it was launched in late 2004, the Confucius Institute has served as a bridge between China and other countries.

One new branch is being set up every three days across the world. The rapid development of the institute is part of an international wave of Chinese culture.

In Kenya, there are students at the Confucius Institute in the capital Nairobi. The non-profit school teaches the Chinese language and traditional Chinese culture. The first Confucius Institute opened in South Korea three years ago. By the end of November, 209 had been opened in 64 countries, enrolling 46-thousand students. The Confucius Institute has become a calling card for China, like the Cervantes Institute of Spain and Russia's Pushkin Institute.

Sun Jiazhou from Renmin University said, "China's cultural influence in the world has increased in line with its economic development. If China was still poor and weak, not many foreigners would be interested in learning its culture and language."