On July 1, 2022, Tang Songgen, Chinese Ambassador to Kiribati, on behalf of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, and Teabo, Minister of Education of the Republic of Kiribati, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Chinese Language Education Cooperation, which provides Chinese language teaching and cultural exchange at different education levels covering the high school, higher education and vocational education in Kiribati.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) will work together with the education authorities of Kiribati to select Chinese language teaching advisor according to local needs, who will jointly develop Chinese language curriculum with Kiribati education experts, ensuring that the Chinese language curriculum is in line with the Kiribati national curriculum and assessment framework. Furthermore, The Chinese language teaching advisor will also work with Kiribati to establish a team of Chinese language teachers and provide Chinese language learning courses and Chinese cultural experience activities for local people, to enhance mutual language and cultural exchange and understanding. 

Tang Songen said in his speech that language is a bridge of civilization and a link of friendship. Chinese, one of the six official languages of the United Nations, is widely used around the world and has played an active role in promoting international exchange and people-to-people contact. Chinese language education is being warmly welcomed by people from all over the world, and there is a "Chinese language fever" all over the world. Many of our Kiribati friends have expressed their love for Chinese culture and their desire to learning Chinese. The signing of the MOU marks the first time that Chinese language education has landed in Kiribati, which will bring more opportunities for Kiribati youth to grow and become successful ,and also lend new impetus for the development of China-Kiribati relations. China will continue to deepen China-Kiribati education cooperation and help to cultivate more talents to achieve long-term sustainable development.

Teabo appreciated China's splendid culture and education cooperation between China and Kiribati. Education cooperation is an important part of intercountry relation, and he expressed thanks to China for its continuous active support to the development of Kiribati education. They are pleased to sign the MOU on Chinese language education cooperation and look forward to its implementation by both sides as soon as possible, so as to bring more opportunities for Kiribati youth to learn Chinese and improve themselves.

In the future, the CLEC will further strengthen the cooperation with Kiribati, work together to advance the implementation of the MOU, provide assistance for local people in learning Chinese and create more opportunities for the young generation, to facilitate education cooperation of China and Kiribati. (Source from Center for Language Education and Cooperation)