Moroccan students were taking the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), or Chinese language proficiency test, in Tangier Confucius Institute in northern Morocco. (Xinhua photo)

RABAT, March 28 (Xinhua) -- More than 40 Moroccan students sat quietly in the classroom and listened carefully to the Chinese conversation recording.

They were taking the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), or Chinese language proficiency test, in Tangier Confucius Institute in northern Morocco.

After finishing the 30-minute HSK Level 1 exam, 21-year-old Moroccan student Othmane told Xinhua that he was satisfied with his performance because he felt he did a good job in the listening and reading part.

Othmane started to learn Chinese one year ago. He said: "I am very happy that I can learn Chinese because Chinese is the language of the future. I hope to obtain a certificate of HSK which gives me a great advantage in job market."

Most of these candidates came from Tetouan in the north of Morocco. Their motivation for learning Chinese mainly came from interests in Chinese culture, hope of gaining employment advantages, desire to travel and study in China.

Rouda told reporters that she has been learning Chinese since 2016 and hopes to study e-commerce in China to complete her doctoral thesis.

The 28-year-old Moroccan girl chose to take the oral test this time. "I hope to pass the exam to prove my Chinese proficiency and fight for the opportunity to participate in the summer camp in China."

Said, a 22-year-old student in Teouan, went to the Confucius Institute of Tangier every week for Chinese language training courses. After one year's study, Said memorized more than 300 Chinese characters. His biggest dream after graduating from university is to obtain a MBA degree in China.

Fatima, a 19-year-old Moroccan student, has been studying Chinese for a year and a half. She believes that learning Chinese will allow her to better understand and experience Chinese culture.

She also believes that mastering Chinese will add points to her resume. "The teachers of Confucius Institute are very patient. I have already recommended them to many friends," she said.

Tangier Confucius Institute is the only HSK test center in northern Morocco. Dean Tu Yuehua said that this exam was the fifth HSK test held in Tangier with a total of 87 participants, most of whom were Moroccan students.

Tu Yuehua said that since the establishment of Tangier Confucius Institute in September 2016, it has attracted a large number of students from northern Morocco to come to learn Chinese. The number of candidates taking the HSK examination has increased year by year. A total of 44 candidates took the first exam, and the fifth exam attracted 87 students.

Morocco has three Confucius Institutes located in Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier.