Sun explained that a country’s political image, geographical location and international interaction all contribute to the way consumers buy products. He cited an example in which an American wants to buy a car but contemplates the decision because he or she feels reluctant to buy a car from a communist country.

The Mandarin classes fall under the umbrella of the Chinese government's Confucius Institutes, through its Office of Chinese Language Council International, located in Beijing.There are currently more than 100 Confucius Institutes in colleges around the U.S., including one at The Community College of Denver, the college through which Battle Mountain is running its program, Qualman said.

In its quest for resources and business opportunities, China needs to have influence in many countries. Increasingly, Beijing uses a sophisticated charm offensive, presenting an image of a modern and dynamic China — a strategy often called "soft power."

Entering into a pact with Hebei Normal Uniersity of Science and Technology is part of Xavier's efforts to establish a Confucius Institute to promote the teaching of Chinese language and culture. There are about 300 such organizations, including 87 in the United States.

...I think it's a very interesting question because the Chinese have opened these organizations called Confucius Institutes... And part of the agenda of the Confucius Institute is to push the learning of Chinese language. They have seen - and not unrelated to our previous questions - they have seen their development, especially their military growth, is scaring people.

The Confucius Institute of the Autonomous University of Yucatan, the only test center in northeast Mexico, has held the HSK for three times since the first test in January 2010. Some 45 candidates took the test Saturday at three different levels.

The university is the largest and oldest institution of higher learning in Hungary. It now serves as a key place for teaching Chinese language. Hungarian students from the university's Confucius Institute, a Chinese-Hungarian bilingual school and a martial art teaching center, performed Chinese folk songs and Tai Ji.

Students all over the world are learning Chinese and reaping its benefits. The number is rising as China plays a more important role on the world stage and offers many job opportunities. And learning about 5,000 years of culture is a big draw.