JUBA, May 1 (Xinhua) -- The sixth Chinese language course for medical staff in South Sudan commenced on Thursday, attracting nearly 80 students eager to learn and seize opportunities that come with proficiency in Mandarin.

In his opening remarks, Gift Gibson Natana, director general of Juba Teaching Hospital, encouraged students to seize the opportunity to learn the Chinese language to help strengthen the bond between the two countries.

"The Chinese medical teams are our friends in both difficult and good times. They have been standing with us, the people of South Sudan, especially the Ministry of Health and Juba Teaching Hospital, over the years up to now," Natana said.

He noted that Chinese medical teams have consistently come to South Sudan over the years, providing not only medical services and training at the main referral hospital, but also extending outreach services to hard-to-reach areas outside the capital.

Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy in South Sudan Huo Ying said that Chinese is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, adding that the power of language is immense and can cross oceans and mountains, connecting hearts and minds.

"As China's exchanges and cooperation with other countries continue to deepen, the Chinese language is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. In South Sudan in particular, more and more young people are showing great interest in learning Chinese. This not only equips them with a tool for communication, but also opens a door to understanding China and seizing opportunities for the future," she said.

Poni Christine, a 26-year-old who underwent medical training at Xiangya School of Medicine of Central South University in Hunan Province in 2017, said that her six years of experience learning Chinese language and culture in the country exposed her to a rich and diverse culture that values harmony, respect for elders, and collective responsibility.

"This broadened my perspective and made me more effective in serving patients from different communities here in South Sudan. Today, I carry those lessons with me in every patient interaction, every diagnosis, and every decision I make," Christine said.

In addition, Christine stressed the significant role that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can play if adopted into the health care system in South Sudan.

She noted that TCM practices such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, and therapeutic exercises emphasize prevention and long-term wellness, while also highlighting the need to integrate modern medicine with traditional approaches within the health care system.

The "Chinese Bridge" program was launched in 2021. This year's training program will last for two months, with course content covering daily conversations, Chinese history and culture, and traditional Chinese medicine. ■