Beijing: Chinese students studying Hindi in different colleges enlivened the Hindi Day celebrations in China on Wednesday when a number of them recited poetries penned by them as well as those by well known poets.

According to Indian lecturers teaching Hindi in Chinese language academic institutions, the popularity of Hindi language is steadily climbing as more Chinese students were opting for the Indian language buoyed by the employment opportunities creating by flourishing India-China trade, which crossed USD 61 billion last year.

Hindi Day celebrations were organised by the Indian Embassy here. A number of Chinese students recited poetry penned by them as well by some of the well known Hindi poets, while others presented cultural performances.

Chinese students who graduated in Hindi has gained good employment opportunities in the Indian and Chinese firms, Binod Singh, who teaches Hindi in Beijing Foreign Studies University said.

The Chinese students, who study the language for four years, spend one year in India practicing their language skills.

China has established considerable number of institutions to learn foreign languages and Japanese was considered to be the most popular choice among the Chinese students.

About 80 foreign languages were being taught in different institutions in China.

The graph of Hindi learning in China is on the rise as most of the students are gainfully employed, Singh who took part in the Hindi Day celebrations in the Indian Cultural Centre along with his students said.

Hindi students, speakers, scholars and representatives of Indian community in Beijing, Peking University, Renmin University, China Communication University, Beijing Foreign Studies University and China Radio International, participated in today's event.

Deputy Ambassador of the Indian Embassy, Rahul Chhabra distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions held to mark the occasion.