Students taking Chinese classes at Hamdan Bin Rashid Boys School in Dubai celebrate China's National Day in October. PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

As Zubaida Kanare learns Chinese in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, one of her goals is to help Chinese tourists better enjoy their stays in her hometown, Dubai. More than 10,000 kilometers away in Dubai, a group of high school students are also learning Chinese, but for different reasons.

Kanare, who has given herself the Chinese name Beida, used to work as an immigration officer at Dubai airport, and many of those whose passports she stamped were Chinese.

"Many didn't speak English, so there were quite a few communication problems. That's when I decided to learn Chinese."

Kanare has been taking Chinese courses for more than a year and can now speak the language well, and is continuing to study at King Mandarin in Guangzhou.

"Guangzhou is my favorite Chinese city," she says. "The climate is very similar to that of the United Arab Emirates, humid and hot, and it's easy to find Arabic cuisine here."

Like Kanare, Saeed Ali Al Dhaheri, a newcomer to Guangzhou, feels at home in the city because he can find a wide variety of restaurants serving both Chinese and international cuisine, including Arabic cuisine.

A student practices writing Chinese characters at Hamdan Bin Rashid Boys School in Dubai. PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Al Dhaheri arrived in Guangzhou in September and is now taking Chinese courses at South China Normal University.

"Guangzhou is a very vibrant city with a lot of cultural diversity, and the locals are very friendly, so I'm comfortable here and feel inspired."

Being able to communicate in Chinese is something that will improve his career prospects, he says.

"With China being one of the world's largest producers and exporters, its expertise has opened up huge opportunities for international trade."

Kanare and Al Dhaheri are just two of those students from the United Arab Emirates now studying in Guangzhou.

Their presence "underscores the vibrancy of our educational exchanges at the tertiary level", says Mariam Alshamsi, consul-general of the UAE in Guangzhou.

"They will return home not only with proficiency in Chinese, but also with firsthand experience of life in China, enriching their perspectives and shaping them into true global citizens."

A student completes Chinese homework at Hamdan Bin Rashid Boys School. PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Once Al Dhaheri is competent in Chinese he foresees himself working as an imports and exports coordinator or international sales representative.

Alshamsi says: "I hope that many more will follow in their footsteps because these bright young minds represent the future."

The enthusiasm for China, its people and its language is also felt at Hamdan Bin Rashid Boys School in Dubai, where more than 300 students in the ninth and 10th grades are studying Mandarin.

Abdulla Mohammad Ali Aldarmaki, a 10th-grade student, says: "I started learning Chinese because I thought it would be a cool skill to have, something not everyone can do. I'm also interested in kung fu, and learning Chinese makes me feel closer to the world of martial arts."

For Sultan Majed, 15, who has not yet traveled to China, a fascination with authentic Chinese food motivates his interest in learning Chinese.

"Hotpot is my favorite because it's a social meal that people gather for and enjoy. I'd love to go to Guangzhou and Beijing one day."

Of course, the connections between the countries go far beyond martial arts and food. Majed says that one thing he appreciates is that both cultures value hospitality, family and respect for elders.

"It's amazing how similar we are."

A student practices Chinese calligraphy as part of China's National Day celebrations. PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Li Kaixian, a Chinese language teacher at Hamdan Bin Rashid Boys School, fondly recalls his first Spring Festival in Dubai last year. He was deeply moved by the friendliness and enthusiasm as a Chinese dragon flew around Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest structure, in a drone light show, he says.

"And language is the bridge for bringing the two peoples closer."

Li says he was fortunate enough to be able to work in Dubai because of the growing demand for Chinese teachers after the UAE launched the Hundred Schools Project.

In 2019, China and the UAE signed an agreement in Beijing to launch the project to expand Chinese language education in the country. The program has expanded to about 170 schools in the UAE, with more than 70,000 elementary and middle school students learning Chinese.

Afaf Aldarwish, principal of the school, says: "Since we introduced Chinese classes at Hamdan Bin Rashid Boys School, the effect on our students and school culture has been remarkable. Students are now more globally minded, curious about China's rich traditions and motivated by the career opportunities this language can offer.

"Beyond language, learning Chinese has provided a fresh cultural perspective, allowing our students to connect more deeply with the world and fostering a unique bond between the UAE and China."

Source: China Daily
Editor: Lyu Yun