The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) called for enhancing overseas Chinese language education at its 19th briefing on issues of major concerns held on Nov 11. 

Wan Gang and Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairmen of the CPPCC National Committee, attended the briefing, together with deputy heads of relevant ministries, resident vice-chairmen of the CPPCC National Committee's special committees, representatives of overseas Chinese, and education experts. 

Chinese language and culture education is a program for overseas Chinese youth to learn the Chinese language and inherit Chinese culture. 

As one of China's overseas projects related to people's livelihoods, promoting Chinese language and culture to the international community is an important strategy to develop China's soft power and increase the international influence of Chinese education and culture, according to the briefing. 

Officials from the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, Ministry of Education and Foreign Ministry agreed that overseas Chinese language and culture education should be promoted on a regular basis and to a high standard. 

The officials noted that their departments and ministries will work to improve mechanisms and strengthen coordination and top-level design to solve problems and difficulties in the promotion of overseas Chinese language and culture education, including the reform and innovation of Chinese language teaching and the construction of international schools with Chinese characteristics. 

The briefing also acknowledged the joint efforts and achievements of overseas Chinese in popularizing Chinese language and culture, which has laid a solid foundation for its promotion.