Zhang Yongda

Tell us about yourself.

I came to Kuwait in 1994, shortly after the Iraqi invasion. I joined a Chinese government company’s international branch, where my first project was Seif Palace. I was involved in that project for three years, from 1994 to 1997, and continued working with the company’s Middle East branch until 2009.

Over those 15 years, I contributed to some of Kuwait’s most iconic developments, including Souk Sharq, Salmiya Marina Mall, Araya Tower, KIPCO Tower, and Al Hamra Tower, among others.

After that, I got into the business of supplying Chinese construction materials, specifically for architecture. I am proud to have supported many prominent projects in Kuwait and have been fortunate enough to see my business flourish.

Printed on the current Kuwaiti currency notes 1KD, 5KD and 20KD respectively, Kuwait Grand Mosque, Kuwait Central Bank and Seif Palace used the China-made materials that I supplied.

Talk to us about the the Kuwait Chinese Associations.

The Kuwait Chinese Associations was founded in 2015 with the aim of uniting the overseas Chinese community in Kuwait, operating as per the Kuwaiti and Chinese laws. 

Our goal is not only to support both communities but also to contribute towards their cultural enrichment by acting as a bridge between them and strengthening the existing bond. 

Can you give us a few examples of the events/seminars you have held to enhance the relationship between China and Kuwait?

One of our main initiatives is hosting annual sports events, such as football tournaments, which encourage participation from Chinese businesses, medical teams, and university students in Kuwait, among others. These events are a great way to foster camaraderie and promote cultural exchange, not just within the Chinese community but with Kuwaitis as well.

In addition, we celebrate significant Chinese festivals every year, including Chinese National Day, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year celebration, in particular, is an important occasion for our community, as it provides a sense of connection for those far from their families. These gatherings allow us to showcase our culture and help create an atmosphere of joy and togetherness.

Another vital aspect of what we do is offering consular protection and assistance to Chinese nationals in Kuwait, where we work closely and under the guidance of the Consular Department of the Chinese Embassy to ensure that any Chinese individual or business facing difficulties gets the support they need.

For example, when a Chinese professor faced a medical emergency, we made sure to arrange his care and return to China. We have also assisted in cases where Chinese businesses in Kuwait faced financial disputes and provided them the necessary help using our legal channels.

What other activities does the association offer to the Chinese community and Kuwait as a whole?

Apart from our cultural and consular initiatives, we also focus on business development, encouraging mutual support between Kuwaiti and Chinese enterprises. We have a thriving business circle where both communities collaborate to create opportunities for growth. Cultural enrichment is another priority for us. We have a choir, a dance troupe, and the Chinese Badminton Association, which is open to everyone.

We also support the healthcare sector by organizing medical lectures, regularly inviting Chinese doctors to share their expertise which helps the Chinese community and the wider Kuwaiti population.

Moreover, we offer Chinese language courses. Leveraging our partnerships with the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Center, we try to provide a great learning environment supplemented by the necessary resources.

We are proud to share that around 70% of our students are non-Chinese, which reflects the growing interest among people to learn about China. Our association is also accredited to offer the HSK (Chinese language proficiency test), which is now the third-largest language proficiency test globally, after IELTS and TOEFL.

Compared to 2019, when you started, do you see a rising interest in people wanting to learn about the Chinese culture?

Yes, definitely. While the language and cultural aspects are one thing, the economic development and achievements of China also play a big part. Many people think Chinese is the future language and China will be the future leader, but I do not think we want to be the leader. We only want to compete with our past and become better than what we were.

Every nation has its own culture which, in turn, has its own merits and demerits. Since we have the freedom, we can conduct cultural exchanges, learn from each other and progress together.

As for the cultural exchange, we have the Chinese School here, and we have volunteers who help present our culture to the people in Kuwait. We also offer programs with various schools/universities and companies in Kuwait.

For instance, Huawei has a program in Kuwait ‘Future Seeds‘ on communication technology and Chinese culture, co-sponsored by Kuwait Fund for Science Advancement. Because it was not possible for many university students to visit China and experience the Chinese culture during the COVID-19 pandemic, we tried and successfully provided such cultural exchange service.

Ultimately, our intentions are clear: to create lasting value for both Chinese and Kuwaiti communities, promoting friendship, understanding, and collaboration between our two nations.