ACCRA, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Tong Defa on Thursday praised Ghanaians for their hospitality and warmth toward the Chinese community, describing it as a key driver of the growing people-to-people relations between the two countries.

Speaking at a press briefing with media representatives and policy think tanks in Accra, the capital, Tong said the positive attitude of Ghanaians toward the Chinese community contributes to stronger bilateral ties.

"I have engaged many members of the Chinese community here, and they feel at home," Tong said. "Generally, Ghanaians have been kind to Chinese people, especially when they know them personally or work with Chinese companies."

Tong noted that Chinese employers in Ghana are playing a constructive role in fostering goodwill, highlighting that many companies offer competitive wages and additional benefits such as free transport and meals for local employees.

Beyond business ties, the ambassador pointed to growing cultural and educational exchanges as a key area of cooperation. He highlighted the increasing demand for Chinese language education in Ghana and praised the role of Confucius Institutes in promoting mutual understanding.

He commended the Confucius Institutes at the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology for their efforts in teaching Chinese at various educational levels, including primary and secondary schools.

"The demand for Chinese language learning is high," Tong said, adding that he has encouraged the institutes to train more Ghanaian Chinese-language teachers to meet rising interest.

He emphasized the importance of language as a bridge between cultures, saying that learning each other's language is crucial to dispelling misconceptions and gaining a deeper, more direct understanding of one another's societies.

Tong also expressed satisfaction that China remains a leading destination for Ghanaian students and pledged that the Chinese embassy will continue to support Chinese language and cultural education in Ghana to further strengthen the friendship between the two nations and their peoples. ■