Modern Standard Chinese is spoken by approximately 890 million people throughout the world. There is growing recognition in Australia of the need to develop greater awareness, understanding and familiarity with the languages and cultures of our region. In the Asia-Pacific, Chinese-speaking countries play a major role and Modern Standard Chinese is a major language of communication.

China has one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world. Three of the four co-called "mini dragons" or newly industrialising economies are Chinese speaking countries or regions (Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong). These Chinese-speaking countries are numbered in the top ten destinations for Australia's exports. Knowledge of Chinese language can provide a competitive advantage for anyone seeking employment in a wide range of industries in both the private and public sectors.

Along with other Asian languages, Chinese has been taught at Griffith for over 25 years. The Chinese program teaches all levels of Mandarin Chinese from elementary to advanced levels, with an emphasis on the acquisition of the practical communicative skills of the Chinese language. Staff expertise include Chinese linguistics, teaching Chinese as a foreign language, the use of computer technology such as CALL in Chinese language teaching, China studies, translation and interpreting, semiotics, Chinese legal language, Chinese law and legal philosophy.