China signed a cooperation agreement Tuesday on launching a Confucius Institute in Turkey's prestigious Bosphorus University, which would be the second in the country.

The protocol was signed by the Beijing-based Confucius Institute represented by Chinese Ambassador to Turkey Sun Guoxiang and Rector of Bosphorus University Professor Ayse Soysal.

According to the protocol, the two sides will further strengthen collaboration in education and boost Chinese-language teaching in an effort to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.

Sun said before the signing ceremony that the to-be-launched Confucius Institute will not only export Chinese-language teaching to Turkey but also help Turkish people learn more about China and its culture and thus boost Sino-Turkish cultural exchanges and cooperation.

The Bosphorus University, located on the European side of the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul, is one of the top universities in Turkey. It was established in 1971 through the conversion of the Robert College, founded in 1863 by an American missionary and named after Christopher Robert.

Turkey's first Confucius Institute was established in the Middle East Technical University last June.

So far, some 80 Confucius Institutes have been set up in about 36 countries and regions, while a further 100 organizations from around 40 nations have submitted applications.

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2008)