Several decades ago, educational institutions and universities worldwide began incorporating the Chinese language into their curricula. This allowed commercial, industrial, and tourism sectors to benefit from the rapid developments in the Chinese economy.
This growing interest is driven by China's commitment to quality in work, design, and manufacturing, as well as the increasing number of Chinese tourists traveling abroad, necessitating knowledge of their language to provide them with essential services.
From this perspective, many countries, including Arab nations, have shown interest in the Chinese language. In 2016, Sultan Qaboos University introduced a Chinese language course as an elective subject for students across various disciplines. In December 2024, the Ministry of Education implemented an introductory programme for school principals and career guidance specialists to familiarize them with the language. This initiative laid the foundation for incorporating Chinese into Omani schools, where it will be offered as an optional subject starting in the 2025/2026 academic year.
Today, it is widely recognized that Chinese has become one of the most spoken languages in the world. This is largely due to China’s remarkable economic growth, which has positioned it as the world’s second-largest economy. Consequently, proficiency in Chinese—particularly Mandarin—has become essential for global business and trade, opening up job opportunities in sectors such as commerce, finance, tourism, and consulting.
Learning Chinese also enables individuals to gain deeper insights into Chinese culture and fosters cross-cultural understanding. Many universities and educational institutions now offer specialized Chinese studies programmes, reflecting the language’s global significance. The increasing interest in Chinese has yielded numerous benefits, both locally and internationally. On a global scale, proficiency in Chinese facilitates employment prospects, strengthens international partnerships, and enhances business and cultural exchange. It also serves as a bridge between China and the rest of the world, supporting initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and contributing to stronger international relations.
On a personal level, learning Chinese enhances cognitive skills, critical thinking, and communication abilities. As more individuals acquire proficiency in the language, new markets become accessible, allowing businesses and professionals to capitalize on emerging development opportunities. This underscores the importance of learning Chinese as a valuable investment in both economic and social contexts while promoting cultural exchange.
Recognizing this growing demand, many educational institutions across Arab and Islamic countries have integrated Chinese language programmes into their curricula. Countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Malaysia, Turkey, Indonesia, and Tunisia, in addition to Oman, have taken steps to offer Chinese language education, providing students with expanded career opportunities. Today, Chinese is spoken not only in the People's Republic of China but also in Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, and several other regions. Mandarin, in particular, is widely used in commerce and tourism.
As the world observes China’s large-scale infrastructure projects, technological advancements, and economic growth, it is evident that mastery of the Chinese language has played a crucial role in these achievements. China’s continuous progress in innovation, high technology, and manufacturing further highlights the importance of language as a tool for national development.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
