As the international community observes United Nations Chinese Language Day today, President Asif Ali Zardari has called for a focus on accessible and structured Chinese language education to respond to real needs and strengthen practical cooperation between Pakistan and China.
The president, in a message on the Day, said that Chinese Language Day highlighted the global importance of linguistic understanding in an increasingly connected world.
“In Pakistan, interest in the Chinese language has grown steadily, particularly in universities where structured teaching programmes are now well established,” he said.
The president said that at institutions such as the University of Karachi and the University of the Punjab, along with programmes at the National University of Modern Languages, students were offered graded instruction, certification courses and cultural learning opportunities.
He said that in Sindh, the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi served as a major centre for Chinese language education, offering systematic courses and training with both local and native instructors. Similar initiatives in other parts of the country have expanded access for students and professionals seeking practical language skills, he added.
“This growth also extends to specialised training for personnel working in public service roles involving coordination with Chinese nationals. Such instruction supports clearer communication and more effective working arrangements on the ground,” President Zardari said.
He said for many young people, learning Chinese was increasingly linked to opportunities in education, trade and technical cooperation. It provides a practical skill that can support engagement with Chinese companies, scholarship programmes and joint projects across different sectors, he added.
