"Chinese fever" constantly warms up

The Chinese language has constantly been warming up among overseas people, according to the latest statistics.

More than 30 million overseas people in the world have been learning Chinese language by various means up to now, according to new information from the 5th International Conference on Chinese Language Pedagogy held recently at Fudan University.

Meanwhile, more than 2,500 universities distributing in 100 countries and regions have been teaching their students Chinese language. Teaching materials of the Chinese language have been put into use in their classes of primary schools and middle schools in countries such as the U.S., Britain, Japan and Korean and so on.

Foreign students to China have increased by 20% in the past five years, and the numbers of foreign students in China in 2006 have initiated a record.

Moreover, the Chinese Language Proficiency Test established by China also attracts over one million examinees from over 120 countries and regions.

In addition, over 80 Confucius Institutes have been established overseas. They provide much more opportunities to Chinese language enthusiasts.

Experts of Chinese language conclude 10 causations on Chinese language fever in the seminar held by Fudan University which are, that it is full of various magic things and legends in Chinese culture; faith and arts that has been continuous for about 1000 years; the serenity atmosphere from Chinese land; China has a population of 1.3 billion and Chinese language is used by the most people in the world and so on.

However, the reason for most foreign students' choice to Chinese language is that Chinese language will be a prosperous tool for their careers in the future.

By People's Daily Online