VALPARAISO | The world's most populous nation and fourth largest economy comes to Northwest Indiana in a big way today.

Government officials and educators from China will be on hand for the ceremonial opening of Valparaiso University's Confucius Institute, a new center for cultural exchange, language learning and business networking.

Traditional Chinese music, a signing ceremony and arts performances will highlight the inauguration of the center.

The VU site will be the third in Indiana for the nonprofit institutes established and funded by the Chinese government to promote cultural, business, educational, artistic and government exchanges.

VU language professor Jianyun Meng, who will direct the institute, said the center will serve as a bridge to China for northern Indiana. It will help local businesses find and connect with counterparts in China, while a regular lecture series will provide a window to China.

In its first initiative, the center will bring two language teachers from China to offer courses to both VU and the community this spring.

The center will draw on resources already in place on the VU campus, Meng said.

"For me, the Confucius Institute is a platform for exchange programs," he said. "I want to promote mutual appreciation."

Due to space limitations, today's opening is by invitation only. A public opening ceremony Thursday night will feature the Zhejiang Butterfly Performing Troupe from the province that hosts the institute's partner, the Zhejiang University of Technology. The troupe includes 11 musicians, seven dancers, two acrobats and an actress from the Kun Opera.

Local concert band Windiana and the VU Symphony Orchestra also will perform.

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If you go

A concert featuring the Zhejiang Butterfly Performing Troupe, the Valparaiso University Symphony Orchestra and the concert band Windiana will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Chapel of the Resurrection on the Valparaiso University campus. The concert is free to the public.

The Zhejiang Butterfly Performing Troupe also will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Governors State University, University Park, Ill.; 2 p.m. Saturday at the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso; and at 2 p.m. Sunday at Purdue University in West Lafayette.

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Future plans

Coming initiatives of the Confucius Institute:

* Language courses for members of the VU and Northwest Indiana communities this spring taught by visiting Chinese teachers.

* Chinese classes in local school districts and teachers brought from China to assist in the development of courses.

* Workshops and guest speakers on Chinese policies and culture for businesses, government officials and other interest groups.

* Classes and events on Chinese traditions and arts, including calligraphy, painting, landscaping, film, music and traditional Chinese medicine.

* Trips to China for groups including medical professionals, small business owners, educators, farmers and retirees.