KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 2026 : Mandarin, once seen as an optional skill, is now gaining increasing popularity among non-Chinese communities, with more than 532,000 adult learners having enrolled in Mandarin classes since 2014.
The figure was recorded by Kunkwan International Online Mandarin Training Centre, which reported that 532,257 non-Chinese adult learners had participated in instructor-led online Mandarin classes following the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) learning pathway.
The achievement earned the centre recognition from ASIA Records in the category of “Most Non-Chinese Adult Learners in Instructor-Led Online Mandarin Classes with HSK Pathway Since 2014” during the Extraordinary Live 2026 programme held here recently.
Kunkwan founder Kent Ng Kun Wan said the growing interest in Mandarin among non-native speakers reflects a broader perception of the language as a valuable skill that can create new opportunities in daily life, careers and business.
He said Extraordinary Live 2026, themed “Your Mandarin Upgrade”, also served as a platform to promote lifelong learning and inspire more individuals to take up Mandarin.
“Through the theme ‘Your Mandarin Upgrade’, we hope more non-Chinese communities will have the confidence to learn Mandarin and view it as an advantage that can open up more opportunities in life.
“This Asia record is not just an achievement for Kunkwan, but also belongs to every learner who dared to challenge themselves, continue learning and strive to become a better version of themselves,” he said in a statement.
The two-day programme brought together about 300 participants from Malaysia and Indonesia and featured 14 speakers from various backgrounds who shared their experiences and insights related to Mandarin learning.
Ng said Kunkwan would continue expanding access to Mandarin education to help more non-native speakers master the language, while also encouraging intercultural communication and preparing individuals for future challenges.\
–Media Selangor
