BEIJING - A recent Arabic-speaking competition for Arabic-language students in China highlighted China's great interest in Arab culture and also charted the future for the relations between the two cultures. The large number of participants and the quality of the language were not the only surprises; what was even more astonishing was the students' awareness of the Arab world, culturally, socially, economically and politically. In the closing ceremony of the competition on December 21, the students sang Arabic songs, played Arabic music and even did some bellydancing. "For me it's not just a matter of learning the language, as the culture and the situation in the Arab world are just as important," said a Chinese student who calls herself Gamila. The teachers help the students choose Arabic names for themselves. Gamila was even wearing Arab dress, which she stressed was easy to find in Beijing. The competition, the first of its kind, was organised by China Radio International (CRI) and the Faculty of International Languages, Beijing University. It began in October, attracting students from 23 universities and institutions from around China. "Although Arabic is a difficult languages to learn, especially for Chinese, the number of students is increasing, with Arabic language departments opening in many Chinese universities," said Faiza, an editor and reporter from CRI, Arabic service. The CRI began its Arabic service nearly 55 years ago, while the first Arabic course was introduced in a Chinese university in 1946. "Today, there are many chances for Arabic-language students with Sino-Arab relations booming, and many of us will find jobs whether in Arab countries or in China in companies dealing with the Arab world," Li Jing or, as she calls herself in Arabic, Doreia. Li, who was one of the big winners, gave a speech entitled, ‘The Arab World Through Chinese Eyes', concentrating on the poems of Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darweesh, who wrote about the sufferings of Arab children in Palestine. Li seemed very interested in Arab culture, but said she is still not ready to work and live in the Arab world. "I still think that there is a kind of discrimination against women in the Arab world, but I will be happy to work and live there, when the discrimination ends," she said. Another category was for speeches posted on a website for public voting, on the theme of ‘China and my Future', with students charting the future and the opportunities waiting for China and the Arab world. As one looked at the students, one felt that gone are the days when the only Chinese who learnt Arabic were Muslims, as it seems that Arabic-language courses are attracting more and more students from right across the board. The prize distribution ceremony attracted officials and diplomats from the Arab embassies in Beijing and, at the end of the ceremony, a pleasant surprise was in store from the Aljazeera correspondent, who offered free training courses for those who won prizes. The Saudi Cultural Attaché in Beijing also offered the students training courses in Saudi Arabia.
