JEDDAH — The University of Jeddah will begin teaching the Chinese language starting from new academic year, becoming the first academic institution in Saudi Arabia to take such a step. The University of Jeddah, established in 2014, has set up an institute to teach Chinese language. An agreement to this effect was signed in China by University of Jeddah Deputy President for Development and Sustainable Development Dr. Majed Bin Said Al-Mar’ashi and a representative of the Chinese Confucius Institute in December. Dr. Al-Mar’ashi stressed the importance of such an agreement due to the dire need for teaching the Chinese language in the Kingdom, a process that gained momentum since the historic visit to China by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense. The Confucius Institute is the most important institutions recognized for teaching the Chinese language. It has branches and partnerships all over the world. Its role is restricted to educational partnerships to spread the teaching of Chinese language. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia started teaching the Chinese language in eight high schools as part of efforts to boost links between the two countries. The eight boys schools included four in the capital Riyadh, two in Jeddah and two others in the Eastern Province. The ministry of education plans to teach Chinese on a larger scale including in girls’ schools, according to media reports. China is Saudi Arabia’s prime trade partner.