A public centre in Angola for the professional training of women has started providing Mandarin-language classes, Angolan news agency Angop reported.

The Rangel Female Training Centre – overseen by Angola’s National Employment and Professional Training Institute – launched the pilot project. It is in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy to the African nation and a group of Chinese businesspeople.

Fragoso Carlos, Director of the Centre, explained that classes started in October. Chinese teachers are giving the instruction and 26 young people from Angola have been enrolled for the sessions.

“Learning this language at the Centre is not only an innovation, but also a labour market need,” Mr Carlos said.

The Director added that, “with the Angola-China co-operation in different fields, it is important to Angolan people to become fluent” in Mandarin.