Chinese officials planning an institute that would bring language classes and cultural programs to the region toured Kansas University’s Edwards Campus in Overland Park this week.

“We’re very hopeful about the nature of the talks,” said Bob Clark, vice chancellor for the Edwards Campus.

The Confucius Institute would be the third in the United States. There are similar institutes at the University of Maryland and in Chicago public schools. China plans to create 100 institutes worldwide to promote trade and tourism and to increase knowledge about the world’s most populous nation.

KU Provost David Shulenburger signed a preliminary agreement with China’s Ministry of Education while visiting China in October as part of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ trade mission.

This week’s visitors were officials from the Consulate General of The People’s Republic of China in Chicago.

If development moves ahead as planned, the university could sign an agreement in a few months and hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the spring, said Bill Tsutsui, director of KU’s Freeman Foundation Undergraduate Asian Studies Initiative programs and the Kansas Consortium for Teaching About Asia at the KU Center for East Asian Studies.

“This really will be fabulous for us,” Tsutsui said.

Clark said the institute, planned to be housed primarily in Regnier Hall, would offer programs including Chinese language courses for business, the public, and students.

The institute could help area businesses expand in China by helping them prepare for business trips with lessons and programs about Chinese culture and language, Clark said.