KUALA LUMPUR: The demand for learning the Chinese language is growing stronger while at the same time, talents proficient in the language are becoming increasingly popular.
China ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing, said Chinese language education remains an important part of international exchanges and cooperation as well as public language products provided by China to the world.
He said to date, more than 180 countries and regions have established Chinese language education structures.
"Of these, 76 countries have incorporated the Chinese language into their national education systems, offering courses in primary and secondary schools as well as universities.
"They have also encouraged enterprises and social organisations to get involved in Chinese language education," he said at the launch of the 'Chinese Bridge Club in Kuala Lumpur' at the China Cultural Centre at Menara Bangkok Bank, Berjaya Central Park in Jalan Ampang recently.
Present were China-Asean Business Association (CABA) president Tan Sri Lim Gait Tong and Chinese Bridge Club Kuala Lumpur chairman Tai Hsiao Hua.
Ouyang said Malaysia, with its healthy academic atmosphere and outstanding education foundation, enjoys the most complete and advanced Chinese language education system other than China.
He said ever since the 'Chinese Bridge' competition was first held 20 years ago, contestants from Malaysia have repeatedly won great achievements in the global finals.
"Last year, as one of the first 20 countries, Malaysia hosted the 'Chinese Bridge Chinese Language Show' for primary school students.
"Malaysia's representative Adriel Cendric captivated the global audience with his beautiful Chinese calligraphy and was awarded the most popular competitor.
"Last March, the student debate team from University Malaya defeated the team from Chinese universities and won the 'First Malaysia-China Inter-varsity Chinese Debate Competition'," said Ouyang.
He noted that Malaysia was one of the first 17 countries in the world to establish the Chinese Bridge Club.
"This fully demonstrates the friendship between our two nations and illustrates our mutual understanding and learning between the two countries through exchanges," he said.
Ouyang said the world today was moving toward greater multi-polarity, economic globalisation and cultural diversity.
"It is becoming increasingly information-oriented. Countries are increasingly interconnected with more exchanges and cooperation in political, economic, trade and cultural areas.
"China is committed to open up further and its integration into the world has created development opportunities for other countries.
"More and more people come to China for business cooperation, study and tourism," Ouyang said.
He believes that the Chinese Bridge Club would not only be an avenue to share experiences, but also act as a platform for all Malaysians who love the Chinese language and culture, to communicate and learn from each other.
"I hope the club will offer more colourful Chinese language and cultural activities in various forms, attracting more enthusiasts to realise the diversified culture of our two countries and make friends.
"I believe the club here will definitely promote mutual learning and people-to-people exchanges between China and Malaysia," said Ouyang.
Meanwhile, Lim extended his appreciation to Ouyang for actively promoting friendly exchanges between Malaysia and China, even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said since its establishment in 2017, CABA has remained committed to promoting economic, trade, investment and other exchanges between China and Asean, which had helped the bilateral trade value reach US$1 trillion.
"At the same time, we also know that in the process of economic and trade exchanges, people-to people exchange is also an important role, and it is also a long-term basic work between countries.
"Only through mutual understanding of cultures can we achieve broader economic cooperation," said Lim.
He added that CABA had in December 2020, invited Tai to serve as its Cultural and Educational Development Committee chairman.
"This was to promote the development, exchanges and cooperation between China and Asean in culture, education, tourism and other related aspects and broaden the regional platform," Lim said.
He hoped that under the strong alliance platform, CABA would continue to expand the promotion of cultural exchanges from Malaysia and China, to China and Asean.
Tai, meanwhile, said the club intends to use the Chinese language as a bridge to sow the seeds of peace, friendship and culture internationally.
"Since the establishment of the global brand of the Chinese Bridge in 2002, more than 1.4 million students from over 150 countries have participated in our competitions.
"This cross-cultural communication platform is also known as the 'Chinese Olympics' in the field of international language and cultural education.
"Language is key to the survival of a civilisation, and communication is the cornerstone of a civilisation's development. The process of civilisation can only be developed through multilateral exchanges, and moving forward together through mutual learning," she said.
Currently, Chinese Bridge Clubs have been established in 17 cities, including Paris, Cairo, Cape Town, Sao Paulo and Jakarta.