Chinese Language Learning in Higher Education in Pakistan

The burgeoning trade partnership between China and Pakistan has brought about a rapidly expanding interest in learning Chinese as a foreign language. In order to equip its graduates to be able to contribute in the globalizing world, universities offer opportunities for learning foreign languages. In the same way, Karachi University's recently established Confucius Institute, which offers Chinese language learning opportunities, can be seen as not only a step forward in the internationalization of university education but also a means to create a bridge for intercultural communication. At the same time, the inclusion of Chinese language in the university's curriculum is driven by political and economic factors (Worton, 2009). Defining the current importance given to Chinese language learning, Bianco (2011:xiii) states Chinese as the 'gigantic up-and-comer.'
In order to explore further the socio-political, economic and linguistic motivation for the promotion of Chinese language learning opportunities, I conducted a critical discourse analysis of policy documents, media reports, stakeholder's speeches, and website news. Initial findings suggest that cooperation, brotherhood and historical ties play a key role in immediate acceptance of Chinese language initiatives in Pakistan. Drawing inspiration from Fairclough's work on Language & Power (1989), a conscious look at the recurrent themes in these recent texts, gave me an insight into the background of relations between China and Pakistan and how language is used to foster the continuation of that historic bond.