On April 24, the opening ceremony of the 7th Nansha Foreign Talent Chinese Class took place in Nansha, Guangzhou, bringing together expatriates for a new phase of Mandarin learning.

The curriculum is designed for both beginners and intermediates, covering everyday vocabulary, basic Chinese characters, business terms, and dialogues. By integrating elements of traditional Chinese culture, the program includes special content related to festivals such as the Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Winter Solstice, alongside cultural experiences like Tai Chi. The courses aim to create a multicultural platform, helping expatriates "not only learn Chinese but also understand China."

"I've only attended three classes so far, but I already love it," said Mila, a Russian participant in the class. Last September, she decided to move her entire family to Nansha. "I have three children. I'm currently looking for schools for my eldest son and kindergartens for my younger son and daughter."

As a resident of Nansha, Wei Lisha, a Russian expatriate, has found a sense of belonging by regularly studying Chinese with other foreign friends. She participates in courses such as traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, and tea art, and has even learned to play tennis in Nansha.

In August 2023, Wei Lisha was appointed as a "Nansha Talent Ambassador." She noted that Nansha's competitive policies will attract more talent from around the world.

Since 2018, Nansha has consistently organized Chinese classes for expatriates, helping them progress from simply saying "hello" to living comfortably within the local community. To date, the program has successfully completed six sessions, attracting 3,712 participants from over 40 countries, including the U.S., U.K., South Korea, Singapore, and Pakistan. It is becoming an important platform for fostering international talent integration and cultural exchange.

In 2024, Nansha experienced an 80% year-on-year increase in the introduction of overseas high-level talent, while corporate recruitment of such talent surged by 180%.

Photo | Zhang Yiwei