To promote exchanges and cooperation between China and South and Southeast Asia, what is international Chinese education-

On October 24th, during an international seminar on Chinese language education in Kunming, Yunnan, Assistant Dean Lin Mingming of Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Humanities highlighted the significant role of “Chinese vocational education” in fostering cooperation and development in South and Southeast Asia.

The seminar gathered over a hundred education experts and representatives from universities across China and several South and Southeast Asian countries. They exchanged ideas on topics such as “collaborative development of Chinese language programs in universities” and how “Chinese+” can support regional cooperation.

Cambodia’s Royal University of Phnom Penh, represented by Vice President Souvanh, reported that the demand for Chinese language education has surged, thanks to the strong bilateral cooperation between China and Cambodia. The university has established a Chinese language department and a comprehensive talent training system.

As the Belt and Road Initiative progresses, the collaboration between China and South and Southeast Asian countries has been strengthening across various sectors, leading to an increasing number of people eager to learn Chinese. Current estimates indicate that over 30 million people abroad are studying Chinese, with nearly 200 million having learned or used the language.

However, challenges remain. Liu Li, former president of Beijing Language and Culture University, pointed out that many Chinese enterprises abroad are facing difficulties due to local employees’ limited Chinese language skills and barriers in cross-cultural communication. He advocated for the development of applied Chinese education tailored to professional needs, emphasizing the growing demand for this field.

Additionally, Liu underscored the necessity for Chinese universities to enhance their teacher training, curriculum design, textbook resources, and teaching materials to better align international Chinese education with the Belt and Road Initiative’s objectives.

Universities in South and Southeast Asian countries are also exploring “Chinese + vocational skills” programs. Research conducted jointly by scholars from Beijing Language and Culture University and Yunnan Normal University highlighted that Thailand currently has 14 universities offering Business Chinese programs, while institutions in Cambodia and Myanmar provide courses in tourism Chinese, business Chinese, and Chinese education.

The Vice President of Rajabhat University in Thailand, Chao Chanittha, stated that the university plans to continue collaborating with Chinese institutions to broaden its international Chinese education offerings and will keep sending students to China to foster mutual understanding and elevate Thailand’s Chinese language education standards.

During the seminar, Song Shanu, head of the Chinese Department at Lao National University, shared that the demand for Chinese speakers in Laos has dramatically increased in recent years, with the education ministry supporting qualified schools to offer Chinese classes. She noted that Lao National University had an overwhelming response for its Chinese program in 2021, receiving 2,953 applications for just 60 spots.

However, she acknowledged issues such as the need for improved teaching quality, a shortage of qualified teachers, inadequate teaching facilities, and a lack of resources.

Many universities in South and Southeast Asia are facing similar challenges. Wu Yinghui, director of the International Chinese Education Research Institute at Beijing Language and Culture University, called for the establishment of a regular regional exchange mechanism and a collaborative framework for Chinese language education research tailored to specific countries. He also advocated for various joint training programs to enhance the cultivation of high-level Chinese language talent.

Wu emphasized the potential for Yunnan Province, as a gateway to South and Southeast Asia, to engage in fruitful international Chinese education partnerships with regional universities.

Yunnan Province has actively built a platform for educational collaboration, establishing bilateral and multilateral exchange mechanisms with over 4,000 schools and educational institutions across more than 60 countries and regions. The province aims to promote the “Study in China, Learn in Yunnan” initiative, gradually becoming a popular destination for international students from South and Southeast Asia.