With a map of China on the wall behind him, 14-year-old Yasser al-Shaalan studied the names of professions in a Chinese ...

Mandarin's entry into public schools is the latest sign of growing ties between Saudi Arabia and China, as the oil-rich Gulf ...

Having Mandarin lessons in public schools is the latest sign of growing ties between Saudi Arabia and China, as the oil-rich Gulf kingdom pushes to diversify its economy and strategic alliances.

Shaalan and his classmates have three Mandarin lessons a week, taught by their teacher Ma Shuaib, a Chinese national and Muslim who is fluent in Arabic. In their classroom in northern Riyadh ...

I believe being fluent in Mandarin would be an advantage when they look for jobs later in life. And the best way for people to become fluent in the language is to learn it at school. Since ...