Chinese Language and Culture Education Foundation (CLCEF) has received its largest yet donation of 30 million yuan (4.11 million U.S. dollars), according to the CLCEF here Tuesday.

The money will be used to support the education of Chinese language in foreign countries, the CLCEF source said.

The donation came from Agile Property, a real estate company from south China. The ceremony was held here Monday.

Although overseas Chinese are eager to learn traditional culture and the mother tongue, Chinese language schools abroad did not meet the demand due to lack of staff and funds as well as inferior textbooks, said Li Haifeng, director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council.

"It's a tough and long-term task to promote the Chinese language education overseas, which will need efforts of all Chinese in and out of the country, including the business circle," she said.

The foundation, founded in September 2004, has funded a program to train 10,000 Chinese language teachers from abroad in five years.

"I am glad to contribute to the cause which is of great significance to Chinese now and in the future," said Chen Zhuolin, director of the board of Agile Property.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2008)