Exhibition on ethnic scripts of China opens at UN headquarters
Updated: 2013-11-20 14:19
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||
United Nations---An exhibition on ethnic scripts showcasing China's multi-ethnic culture debuted Tuesday at the UN headquarters.
Sponsored by China's permanent mission to the UN and the Chinese National Museum of Ethnology, the three-day event presents more than 50 different ways of writing "he", or peace and harmony, which is not only the essence of traditional Chinese culture, but a common goal for mankind.
|
Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at the opening ceremony that the languages of ethnic groups are part of the Chinese civilization and the shared wealth of humanity.
"Diversity enriches culture and makes our world a better one," he said. "Ethnic interactions and interdependence have formed a unique multifaceted cultural heritage in China's 5,000-year history."
The Chinese envoy said most ethnic groups have developed their language systems, oral, written or both. "These languages crystallize wisdom," he said.
Tegegnework Gettu, under secretary-general for General Assembly Affairs and Conference Management of the UN, praised the exhibition as a display of "exquisite artwork."
"In my view, the various ethnic scripts on display represent the richness of these cultures that are part of China's heritage," he said. "The Chinese writing system is one of the oldest known written languages in the world."
Gettu stressed that many of the ethnic scripts have deep roots in history, serving as a communication tool for daily activities that has been used to record the social and economic development of the Chinese people through time.
"They're indispensable resources for understanding China's multi-ethnic history and culture. These ethnic scripts not only contribute to the preservation of unique cultural identities, but also celebrate cultural diversity around the world," he said.
China is home to 56 ethnic groups with a total population of 1.339 billion today. Excluding the Han population, the ethnic minority population amounts to some 114 million, making up 8.49 percent of China's total population.
Among it, more than 68 million from 54 ethnic groups, except the Huis, speak more than 80 languages other than Chinese Mandarin. And 22 ethnic groups, including the Uygurs, Tibetans and Mongolians, use more than 28 forms of written languages other than the Han scripts.
- Post-baby Duchess
- Victoria Beckham S/S 2014 presented during NYFW
- 'Despicable' minions upset Depp's 'Lone Ranger' at box office
- 'Taken 2' grabs movie box office crown
- Rihanna's 'Diamonds' tops UK pop chart
- Fans get look at vintage Rolling Stones
- Celebrities attend Power of Women event
- Ang Lee breaks 'every rule' to make unlikely new Life of Pi film
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
The way of kindness |
Intl attention on reform agenda for China |
A second opportunity |
Luxury giants tap into mainland market |
Aiming for 100,000 |
Tourism opens the road to riches |
Today's Top News
Chinese vice-premier praises win-win ties
Billionaire ranks on rise
FDI grows steadily amid reform drive
China's reform is of significance to world
US ambassador to China resigns
Suning sets up R&D shop in California
Fosun to invest in US oil, natural gas sector
Japanese business leaders visit China
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |