Cultural communications and exchanges between Chinese and German youngsters will be further expanded in 2016, said senior leaders from the two countries.

Since 2014, when China and Germany established a strategic partnership, a long-term bilateral relations between the two countries have deepened.

At a "governmental consultation" meeting, the highest level of dialogue China has set up with Western powers, co-chaired by Premier Li Keqiang and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in October 2014, the year 2016 was designated a "Sino-German teenagers exchange year" to further enhance cultural ties.

"We will seize this great opportunity to carry out in-depth cooperation with more German high schools and educational institutions through various kinds of cultural activities," said Zhai Xiaoning, schoolmaster of the High School Affiliated to Renmin University.

The high school has maintained close ties with several schools in Germany, including Ferdinand-Porsche Gymnasium, to promote pragmatic development.

"Germany has a long history of education, which is famous for its rigorous scholarship and the combination of theory and practice," Zhai said.

German pedagogue Fredrich Froebel founded the world's first kindergarten in Bad Blankenburg in 1837. He was the student of Swiss educational reformer Johan Heinrich Pestalozzi, who laid the foundations for modern education based on the recognition that children have unique needs and capabilities.

Humboldt University of Berlin, established in 1810, was also the world's first university in a modern sense.

"The country has a distinctive education mode, which is mainly reflected in its education system - to teach students in accordance with their aptitude at the secondary school education level; to make higher and vocational education complement each other; and to improve the continuing education system," Zhai said.

The internationalization of basic education is a trend along with the continuous development of the globalization process and many countries are taking it as a strategic priority for personnel training, he added.

In 2010, the Chinese government launched a National Plan Outline on Medium and Long-Term Education Reform and Development (2010-2020).

One of its key components is to "carry out multi-level and wide-ranging educational exchanges and cooperation to raise the level of internationalization of China's education" and to "cultivate a large number of talented people who are familiar with international rules, have global vision and can participate in international affairs and competition".

The High School Affiliated to Renmin University has focused on the internationalization of basic education for years, Zhai said.

In 2004, the school started a Sino-foreign educational cooperation program, introducing talented personnel, excellent teaching practices and high-quality overseas courses such as the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and Advanced Placement Program.

"We combine them with the Chinese education to let our students to both inherit the Chinese traditional virtues and have international visions," Zhai said.

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(China Daily 07/24/2015 page12)