Cambodians Take First Chinese Language Test

via Khmer NZ

2010-09-05 18:04:12

Xinhua

Web Editor: Zhang Xu

More than 80 students on Sunday took the first Chinese Proficiency test known as HSK in Cambodia.

The test was held in two examination places, one was in Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia in capital Phnom Penh and the other was in a university in Banteay Meanchey Province, about 360 km northwest from the capital of Phnom Penh.

These exam students were from all walks of life in the country, including government officials, university students and members of the public.

Dr. Khlot Thyda, rector of the Royal Academy of Cambodia and the Confucius Institute, presented at exam hall and encouraged students to have a self-confidence and a good test.

A student called Zhou Shengli told reporter that he has learn Chinese language in local Chinese-language school when he was very young, and now he works in a Chinese-funded enterprises. "I want to know which level I have achieved in learning Chinese, so I came here and sat for the test today," he said with full confidence.

Another student, Hu Yongqiang, said that he learned Chinese language from local Duanhua School and have worked for three years. "When I learned there was a Chinese language test, I signed up at once. I want to improve my Chinese language level through the examination."

The growing number of learners for Chinese language over the past decade in Cambodia was attributed to the development of the friendly relationship between China and Cambodia, especially to the further strengthening of the economic and trade relations in recent years.

The Confucius Institute in Cambodia was established on Dec. 22, 2009 and was jointly run by the Royal Academy of Cambodia and China's Jiujiang University in Jiangxi Province.

On Dec. 22, 2009, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping unveiled the first Confucius Institute in Cambodia during his visit in Phnom Penh.

HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is a national-level test of Chinese proficiency for non-native speakers. HSK is seen by many people as an equivalent to TOEFL in the worldwide.