He said his recent visit to China aimed to strengthen educational cooperation, focusing on Chinese language programs, scholarships, and academic exchanges between Chinese and local universities.
The trip, conducted at the invitation of the Chinese Consul General in Bali, coincided with a global Chinese language conference in Beijing.
"We will coordinate with the central government regarding the Chinese language studies center," Lena said, adding that the designation would benefit the province.
He noted that the Center for Language and Education Cooperation (CLEC) under China's Ministry of Education supported NTT becoming a Chinese language studies hub, believing it could increase the number of Chinese speakers in eastern Indonesia.
"They also fully supported the plan to develop a Chinese language center in NTT," he added.
Lena visited Jiangxi province on November 16–19 to explore prospects for establishing sister province cooperation. During meetings with the Jiangxi Governor and Jinggangshan Mayor, he presented NTT's plan to establish a Chinese language learning center and invited Jiangxi to join the initiative.
"NTT wants to have the largest Chinese language education center in the eastern Indonesia region," he stated.
He also informed Jiangxi officials about NTT's plan to develop a salt processing factory that would help position the province as one of Indonesia's key salt producers.
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Translator: Kornelis Kaha, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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