Languages other than English are encouraged for BRI ties

China should accelerate the teaching of various foreign languages, not just English, as the country's Belt and Road Initiative progresses, experts said.

There are at least 53 official languages spoken in the 65 countries and regions involved in the BRI, but only about 20 of them have been taught to foreign language majors at higher education institutions in the country, said Wang Junfeng, president of the All China Lawyers Association.

"The lack of people who speak a foreign language other than English doesn't benefit China in communicating information and culture with other BRI countries and regions, which may eventually affect people-to-people ties," he said.