KATHMANDU, June 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Hebei University of Economics and Business and the Kathmandu University in Nepal Wednesday jointly hold the Opening Ceremony of the Confucius Institute at later's campus in Kathmandu.

This is the first Confucius Institute in Nepal. Approved by the Office of the Chinese Language Council International on May 16, the Hebei Economic and Trade University will manage Chinese language and culture programs for the institute.

Minister Pradip Nepal for Education and Sports Ministry, present at the ceremony, says more and more Nepali students to learn Chinese language and to understand Chinese culture will strengthen the bilateral relationship, and promote the communication in the fields of education, culture and tourism between these two countries.

Wang Ying, the president of Hebei University of Economics and Business, extends her congratulations to the successful establishment and official opening of Confucius Institute and extends "the heartiest welcome to all the students".

Wang believes the Confucius Institute will "provide favorable conditions for Nepali students to learn Chinese language, to fully understand China", and will " provide a platform for economic development, international exchange, and multivariate cooperation between" the two universities and the two countries.

Suresh Raj Sharma, vice-chancellor of Kathmandu University wishes the not-for-profit public institution, Confucius Institute may provide quality education in the areas crucial for Nepal's development.

These areas may include "health sciences, engineering sciences including energy studies, applied sciences like environmental science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical science and other natural sciences, management studies, teacher education and many areas of arts", Sharma points out.

The institute in Nepal is designed to provide Chinese language study, promote and reinforce Chinese culture, and improve trade exchanges at the campus of the Kathmandu University.