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China is actively encouraging its citizens to immerse themselves in an English language learning environment, officials said at an English language learning symposium held in Beijing yesterday. "With China's accession to the World Trade Organization and the approaching Olympics in 2008, more than ever is it a priority for young Chinese to learn and improve their language skills," said Zhang Xinsheng, the vice-minister of the Ministry of Education, in his opening speech. The symposium brought together more than 30 leading scholars and government officials from China and abroad to closely examine the possibilities of learning the English language in schools and to discuss innovative new strategies. Editor-in-chief of China Daily Zhu Yinghuang, said that China Daily serves as an alternative way for residents to learn and practice English. Beijing is striving to reach its goal of teaching citizens to speak English to improve its image as an international metropolis. Currently, over 1 million people out of 13 million in the city are learning English, according to Liu Yang, deputy-director of the organizing committee office of the Beijing Speaks English Program. Government departments and several industries such as travel and medicine are major target groups to learn English.