KARACHI - The Sindh government, on Sunday, decided to start teaching of Chinese-language as a compulsory subject from class six in all government schools from the year 2013. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah at his Secretariat. Senior Minister for Education Pir Mazharul Haq, the presidents Secretary Salman Farooqui, Provincial Education Secretary Muhammad Siddique Memon and other senior officials of the education department were also present. The meeting decided to give incentives through awarding scholarships for higher education, extra marks and opportunities in foreign visits for education and skill trainings in foreign countries for those students who would pass Chinese subjects till matriculation and higher classes. The meeting further decided that learning of Chinese-language would also be made compulsory in the Cadet College, Petaro, from class six and above. Nevertheless, the chief minister ordered the officials concerned to finalise the rules of business, curriculum and other compulsory procedures for the teaching of Chinese-language subjects in schools. In this regard, the Sindh Education Departments Bureau of Curriculum will approve a policy soon. Official statement issued from the CMs Secretariat stated that making teaching of Chinese-language subject compulsory was aimed to promote Chinese-language in the country because China and Pakistan had long-lasting cultural and economic relations. It is reported that President Zardaris daughter Aseefa Bhutto has been planning to study Chinese in China after graduating from college. President Zardari has always laid emphasis on learning from Chinas great civilisation and skills. Meanwhile, the chief minister of told the meeting that the friendship of China and Pakistan, which was planted by Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, would further flourish with the Sindh governments decision of starting teaching of Chinese-language in schools. Sources said that the provincial government also decided to award scholarships to educated people of Sindh for learning Chinese-language from educational institutions in China. Afterwards, these people would act as master trainers to teach the language in the province. The provincial government would also invite applications from young educationists of the province to apply for learning of Chinese language abroad through advertisement. China awards academic scholarships to large number of Pakistani students for learning of Chinese-language. The sources said that decision to start Chinese teaching in schools was made on the directives of President Zardari.