During my third visit to China for training on economic governance, organised by the Academy for International Business Officials under China’s Ministry of Commerce, I realised that for the people-to-people exchanges proposed by President Xi Jinping to achieve meaningful outcomes, learning Mandarin is essential.
The language barrier has significant implications for bilateral relations, and with Sino-Kenyan ties now at a strategic level, as described by Presidents William Ruto and Xi Jinping, both Kenyans and Chinese must learn each other’s languages to elevate this relationship further.
Unlike previous visits, I was not the only Kenyan on this trip. Four of us from various government agencies travelled to the city of Xiamen in Southeast China.
Despite my basic knowledge of Mandarin, which I had learned five years ago, it didn’t help much when we tried to navigate the streets of Xiamen around 10 pm, under heavy rain, while searching for entertainment venues.
Along with one of my colleagues, we struggled to communicate with the residents, and I even had to resort to demonstrating our request by dancing until we were lucky enough to find someone who understood.
It took more than 30 minutes to find someone who could direct us to a nightclub.
This experience highlighted the importance of raising awareness about learning each other’s languages, not only for people-to-people exchanges but also for smoother trade.
Many would love to expand trade with China, but the language barrier remains the primary obstacle. Whenever I travel to China, many friends ask how I communicate, unaware that China’s Gen Z often speaks multiple languages.
In China’s job market, fluency in more than one foreign language is highly valued. Despite the language barrier between Nairobi and Beijing, which hinders deeper people-to-people exchanges and trade, China has demonstrated its commitment to facilitating Mandarin learning through the Confucius Institutes established in several Kenyan universities.
This initiative offers Kenyans a valuable opportunity to learn Mandarin while gaining insight into China’s rich culture and civilisation.
As China continues to lead in many global sectors, its vast market is crucial for Kenya’s exports. Currently, Confucius Institutes are available at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Moi University and Egerton University, where they offer courses in Chinese language and culture.
Additionally, several Confucius classrooms have opened in secondary schools across Kenya. Under the competency-based curriculum, Chinese is now one of the foreign languages taught in schools.
The demand for Chinese language skills is steadily growing, creating a wide range of professional opportunities for Kenyans.
With the increasing presence of Chinese companies and investments in Kenya, knowledge of Mandarin has become a valuable asset, especially in sectors such as construction, engineering, tourism and education.
Beyond trade, the Chinese community has established a strong presence in Kenya, and with projects like the Standard Gauge Railway and the Nairobi Expressway, which are part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, this presence is only set to increase.
This growth will provide opportunities for Kenyans fluent in Mandarin to take on roles as interpreters, trainers and in other related fields.
In November, Tourism PS John Ololtuaa and Chinese Vice Minister for Culture and Tourism Lu Yingchuan emphasised the importance of sustainable tourism and cultural exchange to promote prosperity in both countries.
With Kenya aiming to attract five million Chinese tourists by 2027, there will be a growing need for Chinese-speaking tour guides, drivers and hospitality workers.
Tourism remains a significant economic driver in Kenya, contributing four per cent to the national GDP and generating 2.3 million jobs.
Chinese visitors have shown a strong interest in Kenya’s unique wildlife and landscapes. Their presence not only enriches our economy but also strengthens cultural ties.
However, this growth can only continue if we have enough people proficient in the Chinese language to meet the increasing demand.
However, it is important to note that this exchange
should not be one-sided. The Chinese should also
enhance their learning of English and Swahili.
