“In China, we usually get frozen durians imported from Malaysia,” Yang Zhi Jun said. “If you want to taste fresh durian, you have to come to Malaysia.”
That simple desire led the 21-year-old from Chengdu to do something more ambitious: learn the Malay language.
Now a third-year student at Chengdu University of Foreign Languages, Yang, who also goes by Zarina, spent three years imagining the trip. Then, late last month, she finally arrived in Malaysia as part of a youth language and cultural interaction camp.
The three-day visit, organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) with 13 Chinese universities, brought together 59 students eager to immerse themselves in the language and culture.
For Yang, the highlight was as much about connection as it was about curiosity. “Our visit was short, just three days, but I had the chance to taste real durian at Jalan Alor,” she said happily.
Across China, more and more young people are choosing to study Malay – drawn not only by our culture, but by the promise of opportunity.
Ratna Chen, 20, said the decision was a practical one. “Many seniors have secured good jobs in Malaysia and are earning well,” said the third-year student at Sichuan International Studies University.
“Although it was challenging at first, especially pronunciation and grammar, our lecturers helped us a lot, not only in mastering the language but also in understanding Malay culture.”
That mix of challenge and reward is part of the appeal. According to Su Ying Ying of Beijing Foreign Studies University, closer Malaysia-China ties have encouraged more people to learn each other’s languages and cultures.
“Many parents in China strongly support their children in pursuing Malay studies,” she said, adding that initiatives such as the Belt and Road have further boosted interest.
And with Chinese companies expanding into Malaysia, language skills are increasingly seen as a gateway to careers.
Indeed, tens of thousands of Chinese nationals now live and work in Malaysia, from professionals to long-term residents under programmes such as Malaysia My Second Home.
Beyond economics, language carries something more intangible. DBP chairman and national laureate Anwar Ridhwan describes it as a bridge – not just between people, but between ways of thinking.
“When Chinese citizens learn Malay, they are not just learning a language – they are understanding the soul of the Malaysian people,” he said.
There are also practical ripple effects. Tourism players believe that greater familiarity with the Malay language among Chinese visitors can help boost travel to this country.
Efforts are already underway to make those connections easier, including a planned digital cultural card offering discounts on travel experiences.
For Yang, however, the experience is simpler and more personal: a taste of durian, a few days of conversation, and a language that, once unfamiliar, now feels a little closer to home.