BEIJING: The increasing number of universities offering Bahasa Melayu courses has helped strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Malaysians and the people in the republic.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said at the same time, higher interest in the national language had also increased its economic value at the international level.
"The increase is something that we are proud of. Apart from Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), seven other universities in China are also offering Bahasa Melayu degree courses," he said when launching the internationalisation of Bahasa Melayu programme at BFSU here today.
The seven universities are Peking University, Communication University of China, Guangdong Foreign Studies University, Guangxi University for Nationalities, Yunnan University for Nationalities, Louyang Military Academy and Tianjin Foreign Studies University.
At the function, Muhyiddin was also conferred an honorary doctorate by BFSU president Professor Peng Long, for his significant contributions to education development and the strong cooperation between the two nations.