Chinese Language Year in Spain was inaugurated Monday night in Madrid, with the participation of around 400 guests, in an event that saw numerous artistic performances from both Spanish and Chinese students.

The song 'Tu y Yo' (You and Me), which was interpreted by students from Kankai University and the Instituto de Confusio ( Confucius Institute) of Madrid, received generous applause from the audience in the Circulo de Bellas Artes, after a magnificent performance.

Many traditional songs such as 'Mi Partia' (My homeland), the dance of Xinjiang, 'Vuelve a Mi Tu Rostro' (Bring your face back to me), the Guzheng solo instrumental, 'Lucha contra el Tifon' ( Battle against the Typhoon), as well as Martial arts, the Torero's dance and the female solo -- Paloma, all of which were interpreted by Chinese students, were especially well received.

Chinese Language Year in Spain is jointly organized by the Chinese and Spanish Education Ministries and the Chinese Embassy in Spain

2010 will see the organization of a series of events such as the III Foro de Rectores Hispano -- Chino (III Forum of Hispano- Chinese University Rectors), which is being held in the Galician city if Santiago de Compostella, in the north west of Spain on April 12-13.

The Forum aims to give continuity to the meetings held between the academic institutions of higher education in Madrid (2005) and Shanghai (2007).

The objective of the meeting is to push forward the cooperation between universities of both countries and strengthen educational exchanges in higher learning. The rectors of 25 Chinese and 30 Spain Universities have attended the event.

On the 14th of this month the Dialogue between Chinese and Spanish civilization: Confucius and Cervantes, will take place.

At the moment there are over 40 universities and 100 primary or secondary schools or institutes that teach Chinese to a total of 20,000 Spanish students.

Spain has opened three Confucius Institutes: in Madrid, Valencia and Granada and this month will see a fourth opened in Barcelona.

Chinese Language year was inaugurated by the Spanish Minister of Education Angel Gabilondo Pujol and the Chinese Vice-Minister of Education Hao Ping.