China's economic boom has led to more foreigners learning the Chinese language. Thirty years ago, when China commenced reform, only a dozen foreign students were enrolled at the Beijing Language and Culture University, now a renowned centre for foreigners to study. Over ten thousand foreign students, from one hundred and sixty seven countries, and regions now enrol here annually.

With varied backgrounds, they all come to Beijing Language and Culture University with the same goal, to master fluent Chinese.

A student from Ghana said, "Chinese is increasingly important as a language. I learn it so I can find a better job in my home country."

A student from Spain said, "I liked Wushu and Taichi since childhood. I think China has developed very fast and learning Chinese will help me find a good job."

A student from Russia said, "I learn Chinese so I can start up my own company after graduation."

Beijing Language and Culture University set up a Chinese language department and enrolled its first batch of foreign students in 1978. Then, foreign students who only studied Chinese will prepare for other university programs. But now the department spans a wider spectrum: language, trade and translation.

Guo Peng, dean of Chinese Institute, BLCU, said, "We merely taught Chinese in the past, but now, we have other directions: trade, culture, and translation. Now 70-80 percent of foreign students in our department are studying trade."

Eighty thousand foreign students have studied Chinese systematically in Beijing over the past three decades. Some of the graduates have become senior politicians. But more of them are in trade or educational institutions.

Cui Xiliang, president of Beijing Language & Culture Univeristy, said, "In the past, our students were mainly from east Europe or Africa, and only numbered three or four hundred, but now each year we enroll over 12-thousand. In the past the students were mostly on governmental exchange projects, but now they are mainly paying themselves, especially those from Europe, America, and southeast Asia."

The increasing enthusiasm of foreign students studying Chinese indicates China's increasing influence and integration with the world.