Many parents want their children to learn Chinese
A recent survey examined Muscovites’ attitudes to Chinese culture and language. We present an overview of its findings.
KOMKON conducted the survey for the "Huaming" investment company, interviewing men and women aged 18–40 with average or higher incomes. It explored China’s overall image and respondents’ attitudes toward creating the "Huaming Park" Chinese business center near Moscow’s Botanichesky Sad metro station, scheduled to open in three to four years.
Respondents’ overall attitude to China can be described as positive. They value its ancient history and traditions. Chinese culture, often alongside Japanese culture, symbolizes Asian culture as a whole for them. They see China as ambitious and developing rapidly in economics and manufacturing. Consumers welcome developing Russian-Chinese relations, regarding their eastern neighbor as a reliable strategic partner.
The country, its customs and culture arouse great interest. Seven percent of the Muscovites surveyed have already visited China. It ranks among the leading countries they would like to visit, only slightly behind Japan. Sixty-one percent of respondents are interested in visiting China.
The survey suggests that the idea of "a place where West meets East" is generally well understood and seen as original ("unusual for Moscow"). Notably, a children’s center at "Huaming Park" generated strong interest. Unlike the usual play centers in major shopping complexes, the project’s developers intend to offer parents richer, higher-quality themed educational and entertainment programs. Children will have fun under qualified teachers’ supervision while learning Chinese, mastering calligraphy and silk painting, and exploring Chinese art history.
Among the proposed activities presented to respondents, Chinese-language learning attracted the most interest: 37% of parents were willing to have their children learn to communicate in Chinese.