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Download To better embrace the Asian Century, the Australian government plans to put a renewed emphasis on Asian studies in schools and universities, according to the white paper, Australia in the Asian Century, released on Sunday. All Australian students will have the opportunity, and be encouraged, to undertake a continuous course of study in an Asian language throughout their schooling, said the white paper. The Asian languages promoted by the Australian government range from those spoken in major countries like China and India, to the languages of smaller countries such as Vietnam and Thailand. The white paper points out that the number of Australian students studying languages other than English is declining, with less than 6 percent studying Mandarin and other Asian languages in 2008. To build Australia's capabilities of engagement with Asia, the country is now feeling an urgency to learn Asian languages. The white paper says a curriculum for Chinese is one of the first in development. Zhang Yuanyuan, former Chinese ambassador to New Zealand, said Australia has put an increased emphasis on working toward better integration with Asian countries in recent years, and language is the best way to get to know a country. "Many Australian students can speak a little bit of Chinese. I think now the Australian government wants to pay more attention on the teaching quality of Chinese," he said. | 
