The popularity of Chinese language and culture has witnessed a notable increase in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, particularly in Saudi Arabia, over the last year, according to education officials and experts who participated in the Second China-GCC Language and Culture Forum in Beijing. Salim Alanazy, the assistant deputy minister of the Education Ministry of Saudi Arabia, highlighted the positive reception of Mandarin language and culture among students since the introduction of biweekly Mandarin lessons in all public and private secondary schools in Saudi Arabia.
"The significance of the Chinese language is growing across numerous countries. GCC member states, particularly Saudi Arabia, recognize the importance of this language and are pleased to foster friendships with China", he expressed during the forum held as part of the ongoing World Chinese Language Conference. In October, education authorities from Saudi Arabia and China inked an agreement aimed at strengthening collaboration in Chinese language education between the two nations. Alanazy mentioned, "We plan to bring Chinese teachers to our country to instruct Mandarin, and reciprocally, send Saudi teachers to China for Chinese language education".
Being the primary promoter of Chinese language education in Saudi Arabia, BLCU is actively engaged in the development of curricula, the training of Chinese teachers, and the creation of teaching materials for Saudi Arabia, according to Duan. As per the agreement, over the next five years, more than 800 Saudi students are slated to pursue studies in China.
Duan mentioned that a portion of these students may eventually become prospective instructors of the Chinese language, utilizing the knowledge acquired at BLCU to teach adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, he highlighted the pivotal role BLCU graduates play in facilitating international communication, as they constitute the majority of deans and professors in Chinese language and literature departments at universities globally.
