China's Yunnan provincial government donated a set of language lab equipment to Bangladesh's North South University Conficius Institute on Monday to improve the teaching facilities in the institute.

Qin Guangrong, governor of Yunnan province who came to Dhaka Sunday for a two-day visit at the invitation of Bangldeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was present at the handing over ceremony hosted by North South University.

Qin said at the ceremony Bangladesh and China are good neighbors and good friends, the friendly relationship of the two nations can trace back to over 2000 years ago.

Qin said the North South University Confucius Institute has developed very well in a short time since its establishment four years ago.

Qin said Confucius Institute is playing a very important role in promoting the education exchange between China and Bangladesh.

"I hope Confucius Institute will do better and better in the future and become the bridge for the education exchange between the two countries," he said.

Hafiz G.A. Siddiqui, vice chancellor of North South University, said at the function the visit by the governor of Yunnan province is a very important occasion to the university.

Siddiqui said Confucius Institute in North South University not only provides an arena for the Bangladeshis to learn Chinese, but also provides a chance for them to know China and Chinese culture.

"We will continue to support Confucius Institute to make it develop further," he said.

China's Yunnan University and Bangladesh's North South University co-established Confucius Institute in Feb. 14, 2006. It is the first Confucius Institute in South Asia.

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2010)