Brazil opened its first Portuguese-Chinese bilingual high school this month to increase cultural exchanges between the two sides, Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday.

The project between China’s Hebei Normal University and the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro is located in Niteroi, a city near Guanabara Bay. Currently, 72 students are enrolled in the institution, said Xinhua.

“China is one of the most powerful economies in the world; at the same time the Chinese language is now more than just a cultural symbol,” Antônio Neto, Secretary for Education for the State of Rio de Janeiro, was quoted saying. “It is of great significance for the development of the Brazil-China economic cooperation,” he added.

The school, named after famous Brazilian mathematician Joaquim Gomes de Sousa, focuses on the teaching of mathematics, with Chinese and Portuguese as required subjects.

China’s Consul-General in Rio de Janeiro, Song Yang, told Xinhua that the Chinese language “is an essential tool” to boost exchanges between the two nations.

“To learn Chinese is not a challenge but to open up to future opportunities,” Mr Song told the news agency, adding China would provide scholarships and opportunities for outstanding students to travel to the country.