China is well on its way to becoming a world superpower, and Panama is preparing. From the BBC:

Panama is moving to make the teaching of Mandarin compulsory in all schools, in recognition of China's growing importance in the world economy.

The bill's supporters say boosting the number of Chinese speakers will help increase Panama's competitiveness.

China is the biggest single user of the Panama Canal that connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

The bill's supporters recognize that English is the international language of business but say that with China's increasing economic influence, Mandarin is set to be an indispensable language.

Panama has important commercial links with China, with bilateral trade running at $1bn (£500m).

With China on the rise, and the United States' status in the world falling--due to the mess in Iraq and our struggling economy--our days as the lone superpower may be numbered. Dealing with this new balance of power may be one of the greater challenges the next administration faces.