Europeans adapt to a new word order (2)

"China has become much more connected with the world economically and is now the EU's second-biggest trading partner, so speaking English and Chinese in the 21st century will be a very big advantage," he said. "It's not only the language, but also knowing the culture, especially acknowledging and accepting the differences, that's the most important thing".

Costello's family isn't unusual by any stretch of the imagination, even though Kieran-Jack's background - Brussles-based, with a father from the UK and mother from Africa - is almost a template of diversity.

The number of people enthusiastically learning all they can about China is increasing dramatically in Europe, especially in light of the country's increasing influence on the global economy.

Europe has often repeated its commitment to open trade relations with China, most notably in the increasing efforts across the EU to improve communications with the country. One of the most striking changes of recent years is the number of officials and employees that have started learning Chinese.

"The main purpose of providing Chinese classes for EU employees and officers is that we want to promote the relationship between China and the European Union, commercially and culturally," said Anna Varna of the European Commission's human resources and security department.

The increasing demand for Chinese classes is associated with the surge in Sino-EU trade relationship, said Varna. China is the EU's second-largest trading partner, after the United States, and the EU is China's biggest trading partner.

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