Cork councillors and staff begin Chinese language lessons to boost Jiangsu ties

Cork County Council has launched a Chinese language programme for five councillors and 18 staff members as part of its effort to deepen trade and education links with Jiangsu Province in China.

The free lessons are being delivered by interpreters from the Confucius Institute at University College Cork and run in a mix of in‑person and hybrid sessions each week until the end of November.

The council highlighted its long‑standing sister‑region partnership with Jiangsu, a province of more than 85 million people known for electronics and chemicals. It has previously hosted delegations from Jiangsu cities such as Nanjing and Yangzhou to explore cooperation in trade, education, culture, science, technology, research and innovation.

Fianna Fáil councillor Frank O’Flynn, the oldest participant, said the course offers practical basic words, phrases, greetings and cultural awareness useful in the workplace. He noted the complexity of Chinese characters and expressed enthusiasm for the learning experience.

Independent councillor Ben Dalton‑O’Sullivan, the youngest participant, described the weekly lunchtime classes as an enjoyable opportunity for continuous learning.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: jason hu / Pexels.