A NEW centre dedicated to promoting Chinese language and culture is opening in the North-East next week.

The first Confucius Institute in the region will help to build closer academic, cultural and social ties between the region and China.

The new institute, which will be based in Newcastle University's Old Library Building, is a joint venture between Newcastle and Xiamen University.

Representatives from Xiamen are visiting Newcastle next week to launch the centre on Saturday, May 18, and to sign a memorandum of understanding creating a broad strategic partnership between the two institutions.

A series of events celebrating Chinese culture will be held around the city to mark the opening of the new institute.

Confucius Institutes are worldwide non-profit public institutions designed by the Chinese government to promote Chinese language and culture through teaching programmes and cultural exchanges. They are overseen by the Office of Chinese Language Council International, known as Hanban.

Professor Eric Cross, Professor of Cultural Affairs at Newcastle University said: "Our students will benefit as the centre will enhance the way we teach Chinese, and schools and businesses will benefit as we share our expertise to help to create a better understanding of one of the world's great cultures. "

Xiamen University, based in Fujian province in south east China, is one of the country's leading universities. The new institute will open to students and members of the public from around the region later this year. There are currently around 2,000 Chinese students studying at Newcastle University.