Large numbers of Chinese students are learning Spanish and Portuguese , with the aim of finding good jobs in Latin America , where Beijing has been expanding its presence . Official figures from 2016 revealed 600 Chinese undergraduates were studying Spanish , compared to 500 in 1999 . For Sun Jianglin, a Portuguese degree was about landing a job, but also a deeper knowledge of Brazilian music. Latin American centres have opened in such places as Wuhan , Tianjin and Shanghai . Although younger Chinese are benefiting from their country 's close ties with Brazil , the government has grown increasingly concerned about Beijing 's interest in the region .
Large numbers of Chinese students are learning Spanish and Portuguese , with the aim of finding good jobs in Latin America , where Beijing has been expanding its presence . Official figures from 2016 revealed 600 Chinese undergraduates were studying Spanish , compared to 500 in 1999 . Latin American centres have opened in such places as Wuhan , Tianjin and Shanghai . Although younger Chinese are benefiting from their country 's close ties with Brazil , the government has grown increasingly concerned about Beijing 's interest in the region .