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The New Zealand government announced an extension of Asian language programs in schools last Tuesday to meet the growing demand.
新西兰政府于上周二宣布，将在学校扩展亚洲语言教学项目以满足日益增长的需求。
Education Minister Hekia Parata said the government would fund new or expanded Asian language programs at 63 schools across the country.
该国教育部长海基亚·帕拉塔称，政府将在全国63所学校投资新建或扩展亚洲语言教学项目。
Overall, 203 primary and secondary schools across New Zealand were receiving support for Mandarin, Japanese or Korean language programs.
目前，新西兰全国共有203所中小学接受资助，用于开展中文、日文和韩文的语言教学项目。
"The benefits that students get from these programs will help them thrive in a global economy," Parata said in a statement.
帕拉塔在一则声明中表示，学生从这些项目中获得的益处将有助于他们在经济全球化过程中茁壮成长。
Schools were working together to share resources and teaching skills, and many were establishing links with language and cultural organizations helping them to get the most out of the program.
这些学校会互相分享教学资源与方法，许多学校也和语言与文化组织建立联系，以增强教学效果。
"We also know that primary and secondary schools are working together to offer students the opportunity to learn languages earlier, and continue their learning right through to end of secondary school," she said.
帕拉塔说：“我们也知道新西兰的中小学正互相合作，让学生有机会能更早开始学习亚洲语言，并持续学习至中学毕业。”
A survey by the Asia New Zealand Foundation in March showed New Zealanders were feeling more connected to and positive about Asia despite rising concerns over the effect of Asian investment on areas such as house prices.
亚洲新西兰基金会今年3月发布的一项调查结果显示，尽管对于亚洲人在国内增加投资所引发的如房价上涨等问题表示担忧，但新西兰人对亚洲的观感也越来越正面，联系也越来越强。
However, 63 percent of people said they knew little or nothing about Asia, and 82 percent felt it was important for New Zealand to develop economic and cultural ties with the region.
不过，63%的受访者表示，他们对亚洲一无所知或了解甚少。有多达82%认为，与亚洲发展经济与文化联系，对新西兰来说是重要的。
It also found 51 percent of people reported having at least a fair amount to do with Asian peoples and cultures - up from 30 percent in 1998.
调查也发现，有51%的新西兰人表示与亚洲人或亚洲文化有一定程度上的接触，较1998年调查时的30%有了显著的增加。
