BEIJING - A training program started in 2015 to provide calligraphy courses for primary and secondary school teachers has so far trained 5,500 teachers.

The information was announced at the opening ceremony of the program's fifth session held in Beijing.

The program, jointly launched by the Ministry of Education and the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, plans to take five years to train about 7,000 calligraphy teachers at primary and secondary schools nationwide and aims to promote both the accessibility and quality of calligraphy education at the schools to better carry forward traditional Chinese culture.

Su Shishu, president of the China Calligraphers Association, said the training will give special focus on basic exercises, skills and culture of Chinese calligraphy as well as the effect of the courses.