Baku, March 15, 2025 – The Europe Today: Another phase of distance Chinese language education was inaugurated at the Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) on March 14.
The event was graced by the presence of Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Arzu Aliyeva, and Ding Tao, Chargé d’Affaires of the People’s Republic of China in Azerbaijan, along with university teachers and students.
In his welcoming speech, UNEC Rector, Professor Adalat Muradov expressed his gratitude to Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva on behalf of the students. He praised their unwavering support for educational initiatives and cultural cooperation.
Addressing the gathering, Ding Tao highlighted the fruitful development of China-Azerbaijan relations in all fields under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Ilham Aliyev. He emphasized the invaluable role of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in fostering bilateral ties and promoting economic and social development, calling it a proud symbol of Azerbaijan.
Since 2019, with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, distance Chinese language courses have been conducted at the Confucius Institute at Azerbaijan University of Languages, with over 500 students having participated. The foundation continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening strategic cooperation between the two countries.
In his virtual address, Dr. Agshin Aliyev, Head of the Azerbaijani Language Department at Beijing Foreign Studies University, expressed his gratitude to Leyla Aliyeva for her continued commitment to promoting language and cultural exchange. He noted that interest in the Chinese language in Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani language in China has grown significantly over the years.
Following the event, Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva visited an exhibition at UNEC’s library, showcasing samples of Chinese culture.
The distance Chinese language program at UNEC has been ongoing since 2019, initiated by Leyla Aliyeva in collaboration with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNEC, the Confucius Institute, and Beijing Foreign Studies University. The program offers three-month courses from beginner to intermediate levels, incorporating textbooks from China, grammar, reading exercises, dialogues, and cultural insights.
The curriculum is now entirely focused on HSK (Chinese Language Proficiency Test), enabling students to take the international Chinese language proficiency exam upon successful completion.
