“How does South Africa’s SKA project relate to China’s ‘Sky Eye’?”
“Do international basic science projects impact our daily lives?”
“Will learning Chinese enhance my prospects for participating in scientific collaborations?”
These were just some of the insightful questions posed by South African students after my speech. I had anticipated this technically complex subject might seem obscure, yet the students responded with remarkable enthusiasm.
Their curiosity reflected admiration for China-South Africa technological cooperation and a genuine aspiration to embark on a shared cosmic journey—with Chinese language proficiency as their vehicle.
This exchange coincided perfectly with the 17th United Nations Chinese Language Day. Invited to the Green Tech Confucius Institute at the University of Venda in South Africa, I shared my reporting experience on the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project—a major scientific initiative involving both nations.
Students listen intently to Zou Song’s keynote address.
As a journalist from the Africa Center Branch of People’s Daily, I demonstrated how Chinese serves as a “linguistic lubricant” enabling seamless collaboration among international scientists and engineers. What began as a modest “Chinese + Technology” initiative has now evolved into a significant platform advancing bilateral technological cooperation.
The Square Kilometre Array, dubbed the “World’s Giant Eye”, comprises hundreds of dish antennas rooted in South Africa’s radio-silent Karoo Desert. This global endeavour aims to explore stellar evolution, cosmic origins, and potential extraterrestrial life. As founding SKA members, China and South Africa share core construction and research responsibilities.
At the SKA site, rows of white antennae stand sentinel in the desert while multinational researchers troubleshoot technical challenges.
Though language barriers persist in cross-border projects, China’s primary role in equipment installation necessitates Chinese communication. Consequently, South African technical coordinators have organically acquired Chinese proficiency through collaboration—from jointly reviewing manuals to expressing gratitude in Mandarin. Language undeniably remains the key to breaking barriers.
The event coincided with the 17th United Nations Chinese Language Day.
The University of Venda’s Confucius Institute is notably distinct as the world’s only “green technology”-focused centre. Beyond language instruction, it serves as a strategic foothold for China-South Africa tech cooperation. In its classrooms, “environmental protection” and “sustainability” are recurring themes; its library prominently features materials on renewable energy and advanced technology. On campus, a small agricultural experimental field has utilised BeiDou satellite receivers for precision farming for more than a year, while a newly assembled mobile signal vehicle will soon support local intelligent transportation system.
“The Venda region may be remote, but it prioritises education and technology advancement,” said Eric Maluta, the institute’s foreign director. “Chinese has opened new horizons for us.”
Through this linguistic bridge, initiatives like soil improvement and solar power projects have flourished. Increasingly, South African youth view Chinese as their gateway to mastering advanced technologies—positioning them as future architects of bilateral cooperation.
With Chinese building bridges and technology paving the way, the University of Venda’s BeiDou-centred projects are propelling expanded aerospace collaboration. Plans include establishing an aerospace major at the university and co-developing Chinese courses with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), further solidifying this cosmic partnership.
Language transcends geographical barriers. Chinese is far more than a mere language—it actively advances China-South Africa technological collaboration while expanding its horizons. As China’’s comprehensive national strength grows and its influence expands, Chinese is increasingly becoming the lingua franca of international scientific cooperation. It will inevitably serve as a passport for global youth to pursue their aspirations.
I remain committed to chronicling these developments, documenting how the convergence of language and technology cultivates ever-brighter blossoms of China-Africa friendship.
People’s Daily Online
* The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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