Chinese Language Initiative To Strengthen Africa Relations Concludes

Hello Chinese S3, a Chinese-language teaching programme jointly produced by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of China’s Ministry of Education and StarTimes, has concluded its season after 40 consecutive weeks on air.

The programme combined Mandarin lessons with human-interest stories and coverage of China-Africa exchanges, aiming to make the language accessible to learners at different proficiency levels.

In a press release, the programme coordinator and ST Guide Channel manager, Ms Liu, said Mandarin was increasingly serving as an important bridge for mutual understanding and career development.

“The aim is to make Mandarin accessible and enjoyable, so that learners at any level can truly savour the process of acquiring a new language,” Liu said.

She explained that the programme’s language lessons were based on real-life situations, focusing on practical vocabulary and everyday expressions to help viewers learn how to communicate in Mandarin.

According to her, the content was designed for learners with different levels of proficiency, making it easier for beginners and more experienced students to benefit from the lessons.

The programme also featured visits to Confucius Institutes across Africa, where it explored curriculum design, local teaching methods, cultural activities and events, including the “Chinese Bridge” Competition and International Chinese Language Day.

It further featured interviews with guests from China and Africa, alongside documentary-style profiles of 20 Chinese and African individuals.

The programme aired during the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, an initiative focused on strengthening interactions and mutual understanding between the peoples of China and African countries.

Liu said the programme would continue to evolve in response to audience needs, adding that future seasons would seek to sustain dialogue and cultural exchange between China and Africa.