The Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, recently approved Law No. 9,246, which establishes the Municipal Programme for Mandarin and Chinese Culture in the municipality. The measure aims to create a public policy designed to promote the teaching of Mandarin and to disseminate and enhance Chinese culture among students and the population of Rio de Janeiro.

In practice, the programme aims to create a permanent municipal base for language learning and for the circulation of Chinese cultural content in the public network and in the city's cultural facilities. Among the objectives defined, the text provides for the promotion of Mandarin teaching in municipal schools and the promotion of knowledge of Chinese history, philosophy, art, cuisine, music and literature. The law also aims to encourage bilateral cultural exchange and prepare students and professionals to work in areas related to Brazil-China relations.

The law also authorises the Executive Branch to establish partnerships with Chinese cultural institutes and provides for the possibility of co-operation agreements with entities linked to the teaching of Chinese language and culture in the municipality, paving the way for fundraising, exchanges and joint programmes.

(Source: Brasil 247, on 19 January)