There are many reasons why one might want to speak Mandarin.
Because it's a cool language, for one.
Because one wishes to do business in a country where Mandarin is the primary language, for another. In this light, learning that language is a strong signal of respect, which is prized.
Because one might have personal friends?
When seen in this light, fear doesn't seem like a particularly strong reason...
Because business isn't generally done in Cantonese. It's a common story that families that historically spoke Cantonese are now teaching their Mandarin alongside or instead of Cantonese because Mandarin is more useful in the professional world.
Yeah, what a bizarre statement. CEO learns language of major non-English-speaking market. What a shocker! It's almost like companies are putting effort behind their desire to capture a potential 1.3 billion customers.
Does this seek to create an undertone of fear that English might not be the dominant business language of the next century?
Way to stoke the xenophobia, Steven Levy.