China\u2019s economy is growing fast \u2014 and so too its development footprint.<\/p>\n
Unofficial figures put Beijing, one of five fast-growing economies that make up emerging donors group<\/a>\u00a0BRICS, as the largest contributor of development assistance to sub-Saharan Africa<\/a>. Further, two days after 50 founding members signed the articles of agreement<\/a>\u00a0of the China-led Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank<\/a>, Beijing ratified an agreement to launch BRICS\u2019 own multilateral financial institution, the New Development Bank<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the short to midterm, development contractors and consulting firms that are doing business in Asia and Africa may increasingly be bidding for projects funded by the Chinese government and multilateral banks where Beijing is a major stakeholder. Would proficiency in Chinese then be an essential skill for development professionals to have in the next few years?<\/p>\n