With business links between the West and China getting closer and China becoming the fourth most significant business partner of the Czech Republic, more and more schools in the central European country are offering Chinese language courses, Czech media reported.

Optional Chinese language courses are offered at some Czech secondary schools as well as universities and colleges.

The Confucius Institute of the Palacky University in Olomouc opened its Prague branch last year. The institute provided certified Chinese language courses both for university students and scholars and the public since 2007.

Director of Confucius Institute Lucie Lanikova said that apart from language courses, the institute trains Chinese language teachers and also offers cultural programs, for instance, Chinese films screening and calligraphy workshops.

University of Economics in Prague also offers courses of both Chinese language and Chinese studies. University spokeswoman Julie Dankova said that students' interest in Chinese courses has been stably high in the past few years.

Sinology is a traditional branch at Charles University's Faculty of Arts in Prague where Chinese studies programs can lead to bachelor, master and Ph. D degrees. About ten post-graduate students have achieved doctor's degree in sinology since 2000.

Chinese has also been taught the Skoda Auto University -- the only firm's higher education facility in Czech Republic -- in Mlada Boleslav, central Bohemia, since the 2008/2009 academic year.

As the fourth most significant business partner of the Czech Republic, China imports mainly machines and transport means from this country.