Ever more Mexican children are learning Chinese as the third language, after most Mexicans' mother tongue Spanish and English, pushed by parents who believe it will be the language of the future.

Some senior Mexicans often say something "esta en Chino" (is in Chinese), meaning that it is hard to understand. But things are different nowadays -- more and more Mexicans are able to understand, even write the "mysterious oriental language."

Abel Martinez, an eight-year-old boy, studies at Huaxia Chinese Culture Institute (ICCH), saying that he began to learn Chinese atage four and that he liked Chinese martial arts.

During a recent interview with Xinhua, Abel wrote many Chinese words with good handwriting. His sister, Samantha Martinez, a girl with beautiful eyes, also studies Chinese with her brother.

Supported by native Chinese teachers, many Mexican children cannot only learn the language and calligraphy, but also China's history and customs in an enjoyable way. They also take part in competitions and festivals associated with Chinese traditional culture.

The original idea of the ICCH, which works with China's embassy in Mexico, was to teach overseas Chinese children, but now 90 percent of the students are Mexicans, from all age groups.

A fever for the Chinese culture -- covering fine arts, foods, martial arts and its language -- began a decade ago in Mexico.

An official from the Mexico City branch of Confucius Institute said adults who had economic links with China were the first to be interested in learning Chinese, but now students come from varied backgrounds due to China's modernization and openness.

The Asian giant, previously viewed by many Mexicans as mysterious and inscrutable, has undergone steady and fast development in the past 30 years, and has become an emerging modern nation with a traditional culture thousands of years old.

China's dazzling appearance attracts millions of viewers across the world, and Mexicans are no exception.

The demand for Mandarin Chinese grows every year, and reached its peak during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the official with the Mexico City branch of Confucius Institute said.

Parents who saw China's rise on television believe this is "a nation of the future" and it is necessary to know more about its culture and society.

They seek Mandarin Chinese for their children to make them ready for a possible future of working together with Chinese people and companies.

The Confucius Institute was jointly established by the Huaxia Chinese Cultural Institute of Mexico and China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (NOCFL).

Officials said the institute had been promoting Mexico-China cultural exchanges since its inception, and had established five more branches in Mexico, two of which are in Mexico City.

(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2009)