As global interest in learning the Chinese language continues to rise, at the ongoing 2025 World Chinese Language Conference, many now see Mandarin as a bridge to future opportunities from technology and innovation to cultural understanding and international cooperation.
Chinese is a fascinating, unique, and extremely rich language. Counting over 1.3 billion native speakers, it is the most spoken language on the Earth.
Learning Chinese is beneficial for career advancement due to China's growing economy and global influence, and it offers personal growth through cognitive benefits and a deeper understanding of a rich culture.
"With the new advanced technology, China has put itself also globally at a high position. And we would like to get benefit from the Chinese technology, from the Chinese brains as well. And we can use the language as a bridge for our country, for our students to acquire these skills," said Salim Mohammed Kharusi, director of the Department of Human Sciences Curriculum Development under Oman's Ministry of Education.
"We run Chinese classes for kids, adults, after-school clubs, China trips for students in New York, Miami, Boston, Washington D.C., Texas, Utah. So we're all over the U.S. now. We've had a very steady growth since the beginning, with more and more schools in New York, and also in the U.S., eager to add Mandarin to their curriculums, especially after-school clubs. More and more parents are eager to have their children learn Mandarin," said Harry Keyte, co-founder of Manhattan Mandarin Corporation.
"There are a variety of reasons why parents will put their child in a bilingual program. One is that they know that their education is enriched by a second language. But they also know that Chinese influences continue to be growing in the world, and it's an opportunity for their child to take advantage of opportunities that they wouldn't have if they weren't in the Chinese bilingual program," said Dr. Lorne Parker, chair of the board of directors with the Confucius Institute in Edmonton, Canada.
The 2025 World Chinese Language Conference, running in Beijing from Friday to Sunday, has brought together officials, scholars, educators and Chinese-language enthusiasts from across the world. It featured a diverse range of activities focusing on Chinese language education and promotion of Chinese culture.
Global voices on how Chinese language opens doors to tech, opportunities
