Han Ximin

1824295095@qq.com

DURING a recent visit to Shenzhen in June to attend the World Conference on Sinology 2025, Gracious Tshepiso Masule, a Botswana Sinologist from Beijing Language and Culture University, and over 200 representatives from around the world had the opportunity to witness the remarkable transformations Shenzhen has undergone and explore the city’s latest technological advancements.

It was the first time for Shenzhen to host the conference in the event’s history. This year’s edition explored the intersection of Chinese studies and artificial intelligence, fostering a meaningful exchange between traditional humanities and cutting-edge technology.

At the event, Masule experienced a driverless car developed by Deeproute.ai, a company based in the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, and was impressed by the cutting-edge technological innovations applied in this field.

“Forty years ago, if you looked at Shenzhen and Hong Kong, you’d mostly see fishermen on the Shenzhen side. But today, Shenzhen is developing at an incredible pace,” Masule said during an interview in a building overlooking the border between Shenzhen and Hong Kong at the Hetao Shenzhen Park.

After trying the driverless car, he remarked that such technology would function perfectly without any issues in Africa.

In a 2023 interview with Xinhua News Agency, Masule, who was then serving as the acting coordinator of the Chinese Studies Program in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Botswana, highlighted the remarkable growth in public interest in learning the Chinese language since the introduction of the university’s four-year program in 2011.

Masule emphasized the need for increased resources to meet the rising demand, noting that the target audience is broad — ranging from high school students to government institutions, particularly law enforcement agencies.

“We are recruiting more lecturers and aim to incorporate advanced technology into our teaching methods,” Masule said, stressing that the Chinese Studies Program’s registration with the Botswana Qualifications Authority underscores the value placed on the program.

He also believes that learning Chinese in Botswana will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, enhancing trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.