Georgian, Chinese education officials discuss expanding cooperation

Georgia’s Minister of Education, Givi Mikanadze, met in Beijing with China’s Vice Minister of Education, Ren Youqun, to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation, the Ministry said on Saturday.

During the meeting, the sides reviewed opportunities to expand joint initiatives and implement new educational projects. Both officials highlighted the productive partnership between Georgia and China and emphasised plans to further strengthen ties in general, vocational and higher education.

Mikanadze expressed interest in updating the inter-ministerial memorandum signed in 2001, noting that the existing document no longer meets today’s needs. The parties agreed to launch work on a renewed memorandum in 2026.

The discussion also covered the growing demand for Chinese language instruction in Georgia and the need to train additional specialists, the introduction of digital classrooms in schools, the integration of artificial intelligence into teaching, the establishment of Confucius Institutes at universities and enhanced cooperation between vocational and higher education institutions.

It was noted that a bilateral working group will begin operating next year to regularly review key issues.

China’s Vice Minister expressed appreciation for Georgia’s efforts to advance Chinese language education and confirmed full readiness to further deepen cooperation.