Chinese Language Day Celebrated at UNECA

Addis Ababa, April 29, 2025 (ENA) -- The Chinese Language Day was celebrated at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) headquarters in Addis Ababa today.

The event organized in collaboration with the Mission of China to the African Union and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) underscored the profound cultural significance of the Chinese language and its growing role in fostering understanding and cooperation globally, particularly in Africa.

 

Observed annually around the traditional Chinese "Gu Yu" (Grain Rain), the sixth solar term in the traditional East Asian calendar, the day commemorates the Chinese language, one of the oldest and most widely spoken in the world.

China’s Head of the Mission to the African Union and Representative to ECA, Hu Changchun said there is a burgeoning global interest in learning Chinese.

 

"With the development of Internet technology and new media platforms, the global fervor in learning Chinese continues to rise," he noted.

There is a significant growth of Chinese language education worldwide, with over 190 countries offering programs and the number of learners exceeding 200 million, Changchun said, adding that Africa has seen a remarkable progress.

According to him, 19 countries have incorporated Chinese into their national education systems and numerous Confucius Institutes and classrooms were established.

Beyond linguistic education, the head of mission connected the language to China's development and its engagement with the world.

Representing UNESCO African Union and ECA Liaison Office Director, Rita Bissoonauth, described Chinese as "a language of poetry, of philosophy, of ancient wisdom and modern innovation," and a "living bridge between generations."

 

She emphasized that the Chinese Language Day is more than just a celebration for the UN. "It is a tribute to one of humanity's greatest cultural treasures."

Bissoonauth highlighted the artistic beauty of Chinese calligraphy and the depth of its proverbs and poetry, pointing out that the language is not just spoken but "felt from the heart... It is lived. It is preserved."

With over 1.3 billion speakers, Chinese stands as a pillar of global dialogue and a "testament to the enduring power of cultural expression."

The representative further stated that "Chinese, with its depth, offers a vision of harmony, of respect and collective humanity, the values which we urgently all need today."

ECA Administration Division Acting Director and Chief Finance and Budget Officer, Mai-Ellen Russ Jarrett, said Mandarin is the world's second most widely spoken language and one of the oldest still in use.

 

‘‘With its history reaching back thousands of years and its complex characters, the Chinese language embodies wisdom, creativity and cultural depth that inspire people the world over.’’

The Chinese Language Day celebrated today served as a platform to acknowledge the significant contribution of the Chinese language and culture to global heritage and to promote the values of multilingualism and cultural diversity within the United Nations system and beyond.

The event also reinforced the role of language as a vital tool for building bridges, fostering mutual learning, and working towards a more interconnected and harmonious world.