MIRI: Sarawak Taiwan Graduates Association (STGA) has called on society to support Mandarin education, stating that the language serves as a cultural bridge to promote unity.
In making the call its president Siew Tick Chai highlighted the importance of learning Mandarin to foster a deeper understanding of Chinese culture.
He said that the language serves as more than just a communication tool in that it acts as a cultural bridge that promotes unity in Sarawak’s diverse, multicultural environment.
Speaking at the Fun Learning in Huayu Camp, co-hosted by the Miri Taiwan Graduates Association and organised by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Malaysia, Siew urged various sectors of society to support Mandarin education.
He noted that learning Mandarin allows non-Chinese students to gain valuable insights into Chinese culture, facilitating better communication and mutual respect between different ethnic communities.
“Mandarin is more than just a language; it serves as a cultural bridge,” Siew stated, adding that fostering a wider appreciation of the language can help enhance cultural diversity and promote social harmony.
The camp, which focused on innovative and engaging teaching methods, aimed to inspire a greater interest in Mandarin among students.
According to Siew, these programmes make language learning enjoyable, increasing the likelihood that students will continue to use Mandarin in their daily lives.
He also expressed the STGA’s commitment to promoting Mandarin and Chinese cultural education across Sarawak, with plans to collaborate with more organisations to host similar events in the future.
“Learning Mandarin is not just about enhancing individual language skills; it’s about recognising and respecting the richness of our multicultural society,” Siew added.
He encouraged parents to motivate their children to learn the language, stressing that it could lead to more opportunities in both their personal development and careers, while also contributing to greater cultural cohesion.
Meanwhile, its Miri division chairman Ling Kuok Tai, expressed his delight in hosting the camp, praising Taiwan’s cultural ties with Malaysia.
He encouraged both Chinese and non-Chinese students to pursue further studies or learn Mandarin in Taiwan, where they could thrive in a familiar cultural environment.
