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Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron is implementing big change in languages taught in UK schools. On visit to China, he told journalists that British schools should teach Mandarin instead of French and German. He told his hosts that he plans to double number of students studying Chinese in British schools to 400,000 in next three years. He will also provide subsidies to schools that start teaching Mandarin. He believes stronger educational ties with China are necessary element in keeping Britain competitive in Chinese market. He said: "I want Britain linked up to world's fast-growing economies, and that includes our young people learning the languages to seal tomorrow's business deals."

Mr Cameron explained to journalists importance of introducing Mandarin in UK schools. He said: "By time children born today leave school, China is set to be world's largest economy, so it's time to look beyond traditional focus on French and German and get many more children learning Mandarin." initiative includes tie-up with British Council and Chinese office for teaching Mandarin as foreign language. They have already signed agreement to double number of Chinese language assistants in UK schools. British Council puts Mandarin in top five most important languages for British children to study to improve their job prospects.