BAGHDAD — The Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, or the Chinese Proficiency Test, was held in Baghdad on Saturday, allowing Iraqi Chinese language learners to take the exam in the country for the first time without traveling outside.

The test was held at the Iraqi-Chinese Friendship Association in cooperation with the Chinese Testing International Co. A total of 12 students, including three women, took the test.

The test takers included merchants, engineers, doctors and students who intend to obtain a master's degree in China.

"Today, we have finished the Chinese language test in the Iraqi-Chinese Friendship Association. The move will open the door for all students who study Chinese or who intend to study the Chinese language, whether inside Iraq or students from neighboring countries where there is no (Chinese) examination center," said Haider al-Rubaie, head of the Iraqi-Chinese Friendship Association.

Conducting the HSK test in Iraq will also increase cultural exchanges and enable people to learn more about Chinese culture and China's ancient civilization, he added.

Sajjad al-Qazzaz, a Chinese language teacher and director of public relations at the Iraqi-Chinese Friendship Association, said in the beginning, a few students came to the association to learn Chinese. But now, learning Chinese is becoming more and more popular among Iraqis.

"Now, Iraqis can take the test in the Iraqi-Chinese Friendship Association. And by passing this test, Iraqis can apply for the opportunity to study in Chinese universities," al-Qazzaz said.

Alaa Mohammed, an engineer and owner of an advertising company, is one such student studying at the association. He has been learning Chinese for more than a year and said the Chinese language is very important in his field as "we import machines from China".

Learning the Chinese language has greatly facilitated his work, enabling him to directly communicate his thoughts and ideas with his Chinese partners instead of using another foreign language.

Shams Haider, a female student who has been studying Chinese for about a year, said she wants to improve her Chinese language skills and help enhance relations between China and Iraq.

"As I am a political science student specializing in international relations, I am very interested in working on relations between China and Iraq in the future, developing cultural relations," she said.

                                                                                                       Xinhua