The Confucius Institute in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, now offers opportunities for local students, especially those in primary and middle school, to learn traditional Chinese culture like playing the guqin (a seven stringed plucked instrument) and writing poetry.

Students in Han Chinese robes play the guqin. Photo/Jia Tingting

More than 300 local teachers and over 600 students participated in the opening ceremony at the Confucius Institute on March 15. The Confucius Institute will receive more than 10,000 students from 102 schools on weekdays to learn Chinese traditional culture and art skills.

Hou Nan, head of the Confucius Institute administrative department, said that the institute has already received over 10,000 students from more than 70 schools since the launch of Chinese traditional cultural education in May 2013.

Students sing a song for their teachers. Photo/Jia Tingting

"My eyes teared up when my students saluted in the traditional Chinese way to me," said Tang Zhonglian, academic director of Kaiyang Second Primary School, who was impressed by the solemn ceremony.

Tang said that Chinese traditional culture should be a required course. But students should not be judged only by score.

Yang, a local resident, accompanied her 11-year-old grandson to the ceremony. She recorded the ceremony with her iPad. Yang thought the ceremony was meaningful and a good way for children to learn traditional culture.

"The ceremony is different from other activities in the past, so I recorded it for my grandson," Yang said.

Student representatives at the ceremony received textbooks about traditional Chinese culture co-written by the Guiyang municipal education bureau and Guiyang Confucius Institute.

Students who attend the Confucius Institute will have 32 class hours to learn the book.