Online event to celebrate UN Chinese Language Day

The United Nations held a virtual opening ceremony to celebrate the annual Chinese Language Day on Wednesday.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, delivered a video speech at the virtual event on Tuesday evening, emphasizing the important role Chinese plays in promoting the work of the United Nations.

Zhang said he hopes that the UN will implement the principle of multilingualism, use Chinese and other official languages of the United Nations on an equal footing, and spread the voice and advocacy of the United Nations more effectively.

In 2010, the UN selected Guyu ("Rain of Millet") as the Chinese Language Day, which is the sixth of 24 solar terms in the traditional lunar calendar, to pay tribute to Cangjie, who claimed to be the inventor of Chinese characters, according to Zhang.

"Language and characters are the best ways to understanding culture," said Zhang. He said that over the past 12 years, Chinese Language Day has "become an important window for the international community to understand Chinese culture, and further enhancing the international influence of Chinese''.

Zhang pointed out that Chinese culture is a valuable asset for world civilization. He said China is a firm supporter of the UN, and as one of the six official languages of the UN, "Chinese is playing an important role in promoting the effective work of the UN, strengthening communication among countries around the world, and promoting multilateralism".

The Chinese version of the UN websites and UN accounts on Chinese social media platforms enjoy growing influence, he noted, and are well-received among netizens in China.

"We hope that the UN will continue to promote equality in the use of Chinese and other official languages, earnestly implement the principles of multilingualism, so that the Chinese language will better convey the UN's voices and ideas to the world," said Zhang.

As we speak, said the ambassador, world peace is in deep crisis, the global pandemic continues to spread, the development gap continues to widen and regional hotspot issues are emerging one after another. "The more severe and complex the challenges are, the more important it is for us to strengthen solidarity and cooperation," he said.

"We have no choice but to adhere to vision of community with a shared future for mankind, with the determination to never let up until we reach our goals. We shall remain committed to the ideal of the UN, and unswervingly follow the path of multilateralism. China will, as always, contribute to maintaining world peace and development and jointly building a better future," said Zhang.

Abdulla Shahid, president of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly attended the opening ceremony by video. "Happy Chinese Language Day," he said in Chinese during his video speech.

Shahid pointed out that the Chinese language is spoken by the largest population in the world. "A Chinese character is not just a character, it is also an art that it walks time and space," he said.

"My dear friends, today's event gently reminds us that a battle of languages did not divide us and should unite us as we aspire for a more peaceful, equitable and inclusive world," Shahid said.

Liu Zhenmin, under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs, Melissa Fleming, under-secretary-general for global communications and Movses Abelian, under-secretary-general for General Assembly and conference anagement and UN coordinator for multilingualism, also gave remarks at the event. They affirmed the important role of Chinese in the work of the UN and wished the series of Chinese Language Day activities a complete success.

"We call on all countries to respect the diversity of world civilizations, and encourage the people of all countries to learn more languages of other countries, as well as understand the civilizations of other countries," Liu said.

The 30th United Nations Chinese Language Day, organized by the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations, the Chinese Translation Service of UN Headquarters in New York, and the UN Staff Recreation Council Chinese Book Club, will hold a series of activities at the UN Headquarters, including "The Magic of Zen" exhibition, paintings and calligraphy from nine Chinese artists.