Teaching Chinese in Saudi Arabia: From Business Spirit to the Silk Road

When people think of the Arab world today, the first image is often oil wealth. Since the 20th century, oil has indeed transformed some Arab nations into legendary “rich kingdoms.” Yet long before oil, the Arabs were already known for something else—their deep-rooted commercial spirit.

For centuries, the Arab people survived and thrived in the harsh desert environment by relying on trade and commerce. With their sharp business minds and advantageous geographic position, they became key players in East–West exchanges. The ancient Arab Empire spanned Asia, Africa, and Europe, controlling the western end of the Silk Road. From China to Spain, from Russia to East Africa, Arab merchants transported goods, bargained, and created wealth. Even in Scandinavia, archaeologists have discovered coins with Arabic inscriptions—evidence of Arab merchants’ adventurous spirit.

This commercial heritage continues today. Arabs remain an influential force in the global marketplace, and commerce is deeply embedded in their culture. So when Saudi students equate “learning Chinese” with “doing business,” it does not mean they study only for utilitarian purposes—it reflects their national tradition of seeing language as a tool for trade and opportunity.

In my classes, I often guided students to discuss Chinese products that could sell well in Saudi Arabia, or how to bargain and negotiate in Chinese. Their enthusiasm was remarkable, and the results proved highly effective.

Tea Culture: A First Encounter with China

To help Saudi students quickly feel close to Chinese culture, I began with tea culture. Interestingly, the Arabic word for tea—shaya—is a direct borrowing from Chinese.

I brought tea sets and green tea from China and demonstrated the steps of the Chinese tea ceremony. My Saudi students, who were used to drinking black tea from bags with lots of sugar, were fascinated by this new way of drinking tea. One student, Osman, even pulled out a bag of sugar to share. I explained that in China, especially with green tea, we usually drink it plain. Curious, they followed my suggestion and carefully tasted the tea without sugar—finding it fresh and surprising.

I then asked: “Why is the Arabic word for tea similar to Chinese (shaya), while in English it is ‘tea’?” This opened the door to a Silk Road story. On the land Silk Road, tea spread westward from Xi’an, carrying the northern Chinese pronunciation cha, which became chay in Persian and shaya in Arabic. On the maritime Silk Road, Fujian merchants exported tea with the southern pronunciation te, which later spread into European languages as “tea.”

The students were amazed—something as simple as their daily tea connected them to China’s thousand-year trade routes.

From Frankincense to Medicine

I then asked: “We know Arabic has Chinese loanwords like shaya. Do you know any Arabic words that entered Chinese?” The students were puzzled until I introduced one: 乳香 (frankincense).

Frankincense, native to southern Arabia (especially Oman), was a prized incense and medicine in antiquity. Through the Silk Road, it reached China as early as the Tang and Song dynasties. By the Song era, maritime trade expanded so much that records mention tens of thousands of kilograms of frankincense shipped annually to Guangzhou and Quanzhou.

Along with this trade came Arab medicine, which enriched Chinese medical practice. Prescriptions such as “Baisan Decoction” and oil therapies from Arab traders became popular. Frankincense itself was widely adopted into Traditional Chinese Medicine. Moreover, many skilled Arab doctors traveled to China, leaving behind works like Huihui Yaofang (Muslim Medical Prescriptions), which became part of China’s medical heritage.

As I explained this history with a Silk Road map on screen, the students felt as if they were on a journey across centuries. For many, it was their first realization of how deeply Chinese and Arab civilizations have influenced each other.

Looking Forward: A New Chapter in Sino-Saudi Exchange

The history of Sino-Arab exchange is long and profound. Arab merchants and travelers were among the earliest to introduce China to the outside world, recording detailed observations of its politics, economy, and culture. Their writings later reached Europe, shaping Western understanding of China. Some even settled in China permanently, integrating into Chinese society. Their descendants included poets, scholars, and Confucian thinkers, contributing richly to Chinese civilization.

Today, cultural exchange continues with new vitality. In 2019, the Saudi government announced that Chinese language education would be introduced into the national school system. More than five universities plan to establish Chinese majors. The rise of “Chinese fever” in Saudi Arabia shows immense potential for the future.

We can expect not only a growing number of professionals fluent in Chinese, but also a new generation of Arab sinologists—scholars who love Chinese culture and dedicate themselves to building bridges between civilizations. Just as their ancestors once carried silk, tea, and frankincense across deserts and seas, today’s students will carry knowledge and friendship across cultures.

 Author’s Note

Wang Guangyuan, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the School of Middle Eastern Studies, Beijing Language and Culture University. From 2010–2012, he taught Chinese language and culture at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia. His research focuses on Middle Eastern history and international relations.