Chinese Language Education in Iraq: Development, Challenges, and Prospects under the Belt and Road Initiative
Since the establishment of Iraq’s first university-level Chinese language program at Salahaddin University in 2019, Chinese language education has gradually gained a place in the country’s higher education system. This paper draws on fieldwork conducted in Iraq in 2023, supplemented by publicly available information on developments between 2024 and 2026, and examines the establishment of Chinese language programs, the provision of non-degree training, the development of proficiency testing, and related cultural activities. Particular attention is given to the expansion of university-level Chinese language education from the Kurdistan Region to Baghdad and the growing relationship between Chinese language learning and local employment opportunities. Despite these developments, Chinese language education in Iraq remains constrained by a shortage of qualified local teachers, limited availability of locally relevant teaching materials, inadequate teaching infrastructure, and dependence on Chinese institutional support. Establishing additional Chinese language programs, however, will not resolve the shortage of qualified teachers or the lack of teaching materials suited to Iraqi learners. The study argues that greater emphasis should be placed on developing local teaching capacity, adapting curricula to Iraqi learners, and strengthening connections between language instruction and vocational training. It also considers how digital resources and cooperation among universities, enterprises, and educational institutions could support these efforts within Iraq’s specific educational and economic context.
[1] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, n.d., China–Iraq Relations. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, visited on July 10, 2026, https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/web/gjhdq_676201/gj_676203/yz_676205/1206_677148/sbgx_677152/.
[2] Iraq Ministry of Planning, 2025, Final Results of the 2024 General Population and Housing Census. Pukmedia, visited on July 10, 2026, https://pukmedia.com/EN/Details/77647.
[3] DataReportal, 2026, Digital 2026: Iraq. DataReportal, visited on July 10, 2026, https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2026-iraq.
[4] Li J, 2026, Chinese Companies at the Iraq International Oil and Gas Exhibition Help Advance China–Iraq Energy Cooperation. Xinhuanet, visited on September 9, 2026, https://www.news.cn/world/20260909/394b9f54090c458a8aab15a93d5790ab/c.html.
[5] Associated Press, 2022, Iraq: Students Learning Mandarin Points to Chinese Soft Power. Outlook India, 2022-01-28, visited on July 10, 2026, https://www.outlookindia.com/international/iraq-students-learning-mandarin-points-to-chinese-soft-power-news-48071.
[6] Guan K, 2025, Iraq Announces the Inclusion of Chinese Language Teaching in Its Higher Education System. People’s Daily Online, 2025-09-10, visited on July 10, 2026, https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/0910/c1002-40560601.html.
[7] Xinhua, 2026, Chinese Language Competition Held in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. The Star, 2026-06-04, visited on July 10, 2026, https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2026/06/04/chinese-language-competition-held-in-iraq039s-kurdistan-region.
[8] Duan M, Li J, 2026, A Chinese Class at the University of Baghdad. Xinhuanet, 2026-02-10, visited on July 10, 2026, https://www.news.cn/world/20260210/8db65365f96a4ddfa8edade1aaed5c62/c.html.
[9] Department of Outward Investment and Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce, et al., 2025, Country (Region) Guide for Outward Investment and Cooperation: Iraq (2025 Edition). Ministry of Commerce, 2025.
