Why are Cubans learning Chinese?

[dipsydoodle]

Hundreds of Cubans are enrolling in Mandarin Chinese classes as China's role in the island's economy is expanding.

The Asian giant is now Cuba's second largest trading partner and students say they hope a grasp of the language will improve their job prospects.

Some primary schools have also started teaching Mandarin, in a country which has a Chinese community dating back to the 19th Century sugar cane industry.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15655241

And the Chinese have got their own students in Cuba on 5 year state funded courses learning Cuban. I met some when I was on holiday there last year - they like practicing English too. :)

[Syrinx]

1. because the Chinese are taking over the world?

They already own America, because of our borrow and spend programs.

[joshcryer]

2. The beginnings of Cuba turning into a Chinese-style capitalist state.

[newfie11]

3. Why not learn it

I think it maybe as important internationally as english in the future.

[joshcryer]

4. Doubtful.

English has positioned itself as the worlds internationalist language, Chinese would need a major evolution to be able to take its place.

[Bosso 63]

5. Cuban?

[Gato Moteado]

7. yeah, i saw that too.......

i would hope that the OP knows that Spanish is the language of Cuba.

[dipsydoodle]

10. Of course I do

I used the expression Cuban out of respect.

[Ikonoklast]

6. Same reason Russian used to be taught in schools there.

They are looking to be the plient clients of their master.

[dipsydoodle]

11. If Che Guevara had had his way

Would've China in the first place : not Russia.

[polly7]

8. Seems a no-brainer that it would be beneficial to know the language of any trading partner.

Good for them. :fistbump:

[whistler162]

9. Maybe Spanish is to difficult?