China's Xi'an Jiaotong University and the Nebraska-Lincoln University have agreed to set up a Confucius Institute teaching Chinese language and culture in the western US state.

Approved by the Office of the Chinese Language Council International, the Xi'an Jiaotong University in northwest China's Shaanxi Province will manage Chinese language and culture programs for the institute.

An official with Xi'an Jiaotong said the agreement would cover five years, and Confucius Institute would act under the guidance and supervision of the Chinese Language Council International Office.

The new institute would provide Chinese language study, promote Chinese culture, and reinforce Sino-US education, culture and trade exchanges at the Nebraska-Lincoln University campus in the state capital, Lincoln.

Last year, 1,004 Chinese teachers served in 80 countries and 1,050 volunteers worked in 34 countries.

In addition to recruiting more Chinese teachers, the Chinese Language Council International plans to set up another 60 Confucius Institutes and launch Confucius Institute online and broadcast services.

(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2007)