A leading University in China, the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), last week officially launched a Tongan Language Program, the first of its kind to be offered by an education provider in China.

The program launch on 19 October at the BFSU campus was attended by Tonga’s Ambassador to China H.E Tau’aika ‘Uta’atu, the University Vice President Yan Guohua and the Dean of BSFU’s School of English and International Studies (SEIS), Professor Zhang Jian.

Tongan Embassy in China, stated that Prof. Yan Guohua welcomed the addition of the Tongan language into the BFSU curriculum.

H.E ‘Uta’atu thanked the University for its efforts to teach the Tongan language to Chinese students, and hoped it would foster the friendship and communication between the two countries.

Professor Zhang Jian said that his school had been designated by China’s Ministry of Education to establish a Tongan language program - the first of four South Pacific languages (with Maori, Fijian and Samoan) to be taught at his school. He said they planned to build up more courses in the Tongan language and culture as well as courses on South Pacific studies.

The Tongan language has been taught at BFSU since last month by a Tongan student Ms. Langi Finefeuiaki. BFSU offers courses in 84 languages, the largest number taught by any University in China.

Click link to read the official press release from the Tongan Embassy in China;  Embassy Press Release.pdf [2]