Beijing's Foreign Studies University is the first third-level college in the country to request funding for the language, as its policy is to teach all tongues of the EU.

The money is to be spread over three years and college chiefs will hold talks with NUI Maynooth over the curriculum and course content.

Eamon O'Cuiv, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister, said the language course showed the opportunities for Irish speakers across the globe.

"Ireland and China already have extensive links, and it is my hope that our new relationship with Beijing Foreign Studies University will further cement the ties between the two countries," Mr O'Cuiv said.

"The demand for funding from this scheme from universities worldwide, and now as far away as China, is a clear indicator not only of the interest within the academic community in Irish as one of the world's oldest vernacular languages, but also as proof of the opportunities for Irish speakers globally.

"The Irish language is a valuable export."

Irish became an official EU language in January 2007.

The Irish Language Fund for Third Level Institutions Overseas was set up by Mr O'Cuiv in 2006 to help Irish courses in universities across the world.

More than 30 colleges have applied for funding including from the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe.