Linguistics Professor Sa Dequan sits behind a huge hardwood desk in front of a shelf groaning under the weight of books on Chinese history, Chinese language and several photographs of Chinese leaders who have visitedKenyaover the last decade.

Originally fromBeijing, and now teaching at the University of Nairobi inKenya, Sa's office is staffed by multilingual, multiracial colleagues. He is a classic example of using language as a cultural bridge to improveChina's relations with Africa.

"It is now very important, not just to Africa, but to the whole world, to learn the Chinese language. As you know, it is one of the official languages at the UN," Sa toldChinAfrica.

"We had an initial problem of how people [globally] can learn Chinese and so in order to promote the language, the Chinese Government initiated language teaching around the world."

He said the Chinese Government, realizing that language could break down barriers, set up Confucius Institutes worldwide - first in South Korea, then Europe, and then in 2005 in Nairobi. Sa said this first African institute marked the rapid strengthening of cultural ties betweenChinaand Africa. Currently, there are 21 Confucius Institutes in Africa, resulting in thousands of African students now speaking fluent Mandarin. At the University of Nairobi alone, 300 students have earned scholarships to pursue further studies inChinathrough the institute.

To celebrateChina's ever-growing ties with Africa, September 2013 marked the hosting of "ExperienceChina" events in the Nigerian capitalAbujaand the Kenyan capitalNairobi, in order to expand cultural exchanges betweenChinaandNigeriaand to celebrate the 50th anniversary ofChina's diplomatic relations withKenya.

"ExperienceChina" is a series of culture events and authentic Chinese activities, undertaken byChina's State Council Information Office in foreign countries.

Spreading culture

So why isChinainvolved in language and culture education across Africa? One reason, Sa said, is that it is no longer a matter of choice but a basic need.

"There are lots of business opportunities betweenChinaand Africa. It would be difficult to utilize them if people don't know about each other's language or culture," Sa said.

He said that after learning the Chinese language and getting new information aboutChina, most of the local people he has taught are encouraged to use their new knowledge to do something positive for their own country. 

That Chinese culture is increasingly influential in Africa is undeniable. Chinese media, movies, signs, fashion, kungfu, food, along with the language, have all been growing in popularity in the recent past.

From a media perspective, China Radio International, Chinese news agencyXinhua,ChinaCentral Television (CCTV),China DailyandChinAfricamagazine have all expanded their reach into Africa. According to Dr. Elias Mokua, a director at the Hakimani Center inNairobi, this shows the intent ofChinato make its mark as a culturally significant partner in Africa.

"Chinese culture has often looked foreign to us because there were no intensified interactions with Africa," said Mokua, whose center often conducts research on cultural, political and economic issues on the continent. But he believes that with perseverance and increased interaction, previous cultural barriers will disappear.

Removing cultural barriers

Chinais determined to help erase these cultural barriers. This year alone, there have been three major cultural events aimed at introducing Chinese culture. The first was a congress inHangzhou,China, called "Culture: Key to Sustainable Development," which brought together government officials from Africa,Chinaand around the world. As mentioned previously, the second was inAbuja, dubbed "ExperienceChina" where media professionals fromChinaandNigeriadiscussed the media's role in promoting cooperation between the two countries. The third event, also in the "ExperienceChina" theme, took place inNairobilast month and featured Chinese dance, music, poems, literature and food.

Writing in theCoalition Pour Diversite Culturelleafter the Hangzou event, Professor Yang Gangfu said that it is no longer possible to separate culture from economic interactions. "Clearly, culture is increasingly seen as an important driver and enabler for economic growth, environmental sustainability and social inclusion. Seeking unity between human beings and nature is one of the pivotal cultural values of the Chinese people," he wrote.

Yang said that since ancient times,Chinahas had this ecological idea that "man and nature are integrated," which is also called "Nature and Humanity ideology," a valuable philosophy he feels needs to be shared in Africa.

Historical links

Sino-African relations have deep historical links, as was shown in the discovery of an ancient Chinese gold coin at Lamu Island off the coast ofKenyain 2012.

Dr. Ngari Gituku, a cultural analyst at the Kenya Leadership Institute and Culture Editor ofDiplomat East Africa,who bases his reflections on the story of Zheng He, a famous Chinese explorer who sailed the coastlines of Africa in the 15th century, said that the only thing that has changed in modern times is the pattern of interaction.

"Chinese cuisine, which for a long time had been considered as only being for the more sophisticated tastes of discerning folks in the middle and upper social classes, is a cultural adoption," Gituku said, adding that this cuisine is now being prepared in many African homes. On another historical note, he said few people in Africa remember that tea and silk are both Chinese in origin and that these products have produced an entire cultural industry of their own.

Gituku, also vice chairman of the Kenya-China Friendship Association, said an important aspect of cultural influence isChina's industriousness.  "There has been the embracing of the Chinese work ethic, and many agree that the diligence of the Chinese is worth emulating," he said, pointing out that there is a possibility of the two cultures merging in the future because of ever-increasing interaction and strengthened economic and cultural ties. CA