China welcomes more people from around the world to learn Chinese language: FM spokesperon

(ECNS) -- China welcomes more people from around the world to learn the Chinese language and look forward to more foreign journalists raising questions in the Chinese language at our daily press conferences, foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Thursday at a news briefing while addressing a question about the UN Chinese Language Day.

"Chinese is one of the six official languages of the UN and one of the most spoken languages in the world. The voice and proposals of the UN have been actively conveyed to the world in this language, which has contributed significantly to the smooth running of the UN, the communication and exchanges between countries and the advancement of multilateralism," the spokesperson said.

He added that he is happy to see that more and more foreign friends are getting to know a diverse, multi-faceted and amicable China as it is by learning the Chinese language and that he has noted many foreign journalists can ask questions in fluent Chinese at the press conference.

The Center for Language Education and Cooperation, in collaboration with global partners, has launched this year’s International Chinese Language Day with the theme “Chinese Language: Facilitating Dialogues across Civilizations” to experience the charm of the Chinese language and the Chinese culture with language learners and culture enthusiasts worldwide.

"Just weeks ago, President Xi Jinping put forth the Global Civilization Initiative, calling for joint efforts to advocate the respect for the diversity of civilizations and upholding equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness between civilizations. China is ready to promote exchange and cooperation on the Chinese language, use the language as a bridge to strengthen people-to-people exchange and cultural interaction and bring our peoples closer. By so doing, we can deepen communication between the Chinese civilization and other civilizations and add more vitality and diversity to the world civilization," he said.

He noted that the wide application of the Chinese language in multilateral arena including the UN is an epitome of the deepening cooperation between China and the UN. China firmly upholds the UN-centered international system and supports the central role of the UN in international affairs, he said.

China will always advocate true multilateralism, follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, constructively participate in the work of the UN in various fields, and make new, greater contribution to promoting peace and development of the humanity and building a human community with a shared future, the spokesperson added.

April 20 marks the 14th UN Chinese Language Day. 

In 2010, the UN selected Guyu (“Rain of Millet”), which is one of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese calendar, as the date for the Chinese Language Day.

For more than a decade, the UN headquarters and offices and many countries have held diverse activities to mark this day, providing a window for people around the world to have a better understanding of the Chinese language and culture, according to the spokesperson.