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| Michael Spence |
"Ni hao".
Mandarin/Chinese should be taught in Jamaican schools. China-Jamaica Economic, diplomatic, and trade relations are accompanied by frequent statements in the newspapers, Parliament, and other fora/forums objectively promoting cooperation for the development of both countries.
China today has the world's second-largest population at approximately 1.405 billion, with 1.125 billion internet users as of early 2026. The country is led by the Communist Party, with President Xi Jinping as general secretary and president.
The workforce stands at about 840 million, with overall urban unemployment at 5.1% as of December 2025 and 5.2% in July 2026.
The structure of the economy has shifted dramatically. Agriculture now accounts for 6.7%. It should be noted that China is self-sufficient in all food groups except grains. Industry is 35.6%, and services are 57.7%. China’s nominal GDP for 2026 is projected at US$20.85 trillion*, making it the second largest economy by nominal GDP and first by purchasing power.
Most Spoken Language
China’s adult literacy rate is now well above 95%. Mandarin, spoken by more than 1 billion people, remains the most spoken language on planet Earth. It is the official language of business, tourism, and diplomacy with China.
This struck me again one weekend some time ago as I stopped to buy oranges along the Bog Walk Road, and a busload of Chinese tourists arrived. After much confusion and a befuddled vendor, I was able to break the ice with _'Ni hao,' the Chinese/Mandarin for 'hello,' among the few words I’ve been learning, thanks to a Chinese haberdashery operator on Barry Street and another on Princess Street in Kingston, Jamaica.
There was one interpreter among them, who was Chinese, not Jamaican, and he seemed overwhelmed. Neither the Jamaican tour guide nor the driver spoke a word in Mandarin.
Maximize Benefits
Now that Jamaica is an approved tourist and trade destination for China, pushing closer economic ties, our guides, drivers, hotel personnel, brokers, construction workers, bankers, customs officers, immigration officers, police, vendors, and both formal and informal commercial importers—many of whom have shifted sourcing from Panama, Curaçao, St. Maarten, and the U.S. to China. They should take advantage of opportunities to learn Mandarin and key aspects of Chinese business culture.
With China targeting 4.5% to 5% growth in 2026 and aiming to create over 12 million new urban jobs, the trade and tourism flows will only increase.
To maximize the benefits of closer ties with this rapidly emerging world power, Mandarin should be introduced immediately into the curriculum and syllabi/syllabuses of our schools.
I made some checks and discovered that the Chinese government will provide paid teachers if requested. We just need to provide housing.
Jamaica, let's do it
"Ni hao"
Michael Spence
Michael Spence is a graduate of Cornwall College and the University of the West Indies. He is a trained teacher, a sociologist, and a writer for Bark Di Trute.
Micspen2@hotmail.com
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I have always admired the people of China. The progress they have made and continue to make is phenomenal. Educated, hardworking, focused, ambitious. Traits that Jamaicans should copy, then maybe this country could reach somewhere in life. We çan only hope. I agree and have been saying that we should learn Mandarin.
ReplyDeleteAmerica wants us to cut ties with China, so they can have more control of Jamaica then destroy us. Think on that.