An idea floating around the state Capitol calls for $250,000 to expand Chinese curriculum in Minnesota schools and make learning the language available to more students.

Chinese? Is this a good idea?

Yes. As long as the state funds it.

It’s good to see the state talking about forking out the money for foreign language, instead of the usual procedure of legislating unfunded mandates &045; in this case, an unfunded Mandarin mandate.

The 20th century was America’s century. That golden era is over, and now America will learn how to participate in the new global market it paved the way for and in a world it has helped make safe.

Emerging out of the depths of 20th century despair is the world’s most populous country, China. The 21st century is the Chinese century.

The country, with its Communist-capitalist experiment, is experiencing tremendous growth of business and industry, and Minnesota in the new economy will benefit by having connections. Teaching children Chinese now will pay off in 10, 15, 20 years.

If someone knows Chinese, it guarantees them a job, whether it is teaching Chinese to other children, interpreting for state and national diplomats or using the skill in the corporate environment.

We hope the proposal circulating the Capitol this year makes it into the state budget next year.

Teaching Chinese &045;&160;and providing the state funding for it &045;&160;is merely one step among many Minnesota and Freeborn County can do to excel in the global market. Some parts of the United States &045; parts unwilling to accept change &045; will not make the transition. We are confident our region will emerge as a good place to live and work in this new global village.