BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- A center for Arabic language and Islamic culture studies, which is sponsored by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Wednesday reopened after renovations at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and was inaugurated by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

The BFSU-affiliated Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Center for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies was established in 1994, funded by a donation from former Emirates President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan during his visit to China in 1990.

During a 2009 trip to China, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan allocated 2.8 million U.S. dollars to thoroughly renovate the center.

Yang Xueyi, chairman of the BFSU University Council, said at the ceremony that the center has become an important base for Arabic language teaching in China and a palace of knowledge for spreading Islamic culture, as well as a window for promoting understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and the UAE.

The center has also hosted guests and scholars from all over the world and organized conferences attended by outstanding scholars from the Arabic world, according to Yang.

Omar Ahmed Al Bitar, UAE ambassador to China, said the center has served as a bridge of understanding between the two civilizations and cultures. It has also contributed to deepening bilateral relations, upgrading moral standards and promoting the "Silk Road spirit."

Bitar announced that Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed will donate another 1.12 million U.S. dollars to the center to help strengthen cultural exchanges between the two countries by supporting teachers and students in their educational work missions.

The center, which has five floors and a net area of 4,100 square meters, has bestowed bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees to more than 600 students since its establishment.