A new agreement between Michigan State University and the Chinese government will make online Chinese language lessons available across Michigan to both students and adults.

The university has set up the Confucius Institute in partnership with China's National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language and Beijing's China Central Radio and Television University. Confucius Institutes have been set up in several countries to promote the study of the Chinese language and a greater understanding of China's culture and history.

Yong Zhao of Michigan State's College of Education said the Chinese courses will help Michigan students meet new high school requirements for online course work and foreign language studies.

Michigan State and that university will give $250,000 (euro202,184) a year toward the institute.

Online instruction will first be offered to high school students, with course offerings for elementary pupils and adults added later.

Michigan State opening a Beijing office this spring that will work with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to promote sales of Michigan-made goods and services to China and attract Chinese investment to Michigan.

On the Net:

Michigan Virtual High School: http://www.mivhs.org/

Michigan State University: http://www.msu.edu