The government of Cape Verde wants to introduce Mandarin Chinese and Spanish language classes in schools, the Inforpress news agency reports.

Officials have contacted Beijing and talks were underway for mainland China to send teachers and teaching materials to the archipelago, the report quoted the Cape Verde Education, Family and Social Inclusion Minister Maritza Rosabal as saying.

Mandarin, or Standard Chinese, might become an optional language for students in the 2017-18 academic year, the report says.