Border residents from Lao Cai province of Vietnam pass the Hekou road bridge to sell their goods in Yunnan province on Dec 17, 2009. Over the past decade, China has fulfilled its commitment to the World Trade Organization and helped promote free trade and globalization. [Photo/Xinhua]

Malagasy college student Isaia Herimialy Ratsizakaina, first prize and best appearance winner in the 11th 'Chinese Bridge' Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students, receives a warm welcome at the international airport in Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar. As China's economy and international exchanges witness rapid growth, there has been a sharp increase in the demand for learning Chinese. Committed to providing Chinese language and cultural teaching resources and services worldwide, the Confucius Institute goes all out in meeting the demands of foreign students and contributing to the development of multiculturalism. Since the Confucius Institute was set up in 2004, more than 350 university affiliated Confucius Institutes and more than 500 Confucius classrooms at secondary schools have been established in 105 countries and regions. [Photo/Xinhua]