“China’s super-sized market always remains open to the world, and all countries are welcome to get on board the express train of China’s development” said Ambassador Hu Changchun, Head of Chinese mission to African Union and UNECA.
During the annual celebration of International Chinese Language Day held recently on the premises of the United Nations Economic Commission for African (UNECA) Ambassador Changchun elaborated that the world at this moment needs to come closer together and explained his governments measures to boost its close ties with countries of the world.
“What the world needs is openness and inclusiveness, not closure or isolation. Erecting high walls of tariffs is turning back the wheel of history. The world will never and should never return to a state of mutual isolation and fragmentation”
As a language spoken by over billion people across the world, Chinese language has the capacity to bring about harmony, intimacy and progress across the world. The language that stands 2nd in the world in terms of speakers is a major tool communication in and outside China.
Chinese is held to be celebrated as an international language annually by the United Nations for 16 years this year. The theme coined the celebration of this year’s Chinese language day signifies the need to accommodate the differences among people of the world and the ability of Chinese language to serve as a bridge for harmonious relations among peoples of diverse ethnicity, culture, religion and socio economy.
“This year’s theme, Harmony in diversity, reminds us of the importance of accepting our differences while working together for a better world, said Mai Ellen Rus Jarrett, Acting Director of Administrative Division of the UNECA.
In her opening remark to the International Chinese Language Day, celebrated at the UNECA, Jarret added “In the face of global challenges, ranging from climate change to inequality, multilingualism fosters mutual respect and collaboration, paving the way for sustainable development and peace.”
The language which thrived in China, a country that nurtured a globally acclaimed history of civilization for more than 5000 years has carried bundles of wisdom, knowledge and other vital assets that survived the test of time and dynamism of human society. As a result Chinese language can be hailed as an important medium of communication that can bestow estimable and all round knowledge on speakers or those who learn it.
“For 5000 years, Chinese has been more than a means of communication – t has been a living bridge between generations. From the oracles of bones of the Shang Dynasty to the timeless verse of Li Bai and du Fu, from the teachings of Confucius to the digital conversations today the Chinese language carries the soul of civilization that continues to inspire the world” said Rita Bissoonauth, Director of the Liaison Office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to AU and UNECA.
Consequently, peoples eagerness to study Chinese language is showing dramatic increase across the world. Ambassador Changchun indicated on the occasion that globally over 190 countries offer Chinese language education, and the total number of international Chinese language learners and users has exceeded 200 million.
He noted that a total of 19 African countries have incorporated Chinese language into their national education systems while 47 countries have established 67 Confucius Institutes, 10 Confucius Classroom Programs and nearly a dozen China Cultural Centers. All languages and culture carry the knowledge, history and civilization, among others , of the speakers. So does Chinese Language. People can penetrate deeper in to the thousands of years of journey of Chinese society towards a globally strong political, social and economic power. For this end, Ambassador Changchun noted that his country is ready to collaborate with countries of the world towards a mutually beneficial, shared future.
“The Chinese-style modernization belongs to China, but it also belongs to the world. China offers all least-developed countries (LDCs) with diplomatic ties zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, making us the first major developing country and major economy to have implemented such a measure. Empowered by cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, it is high time and also the trend of the times to learn Chinese, explore China, and jointly win the future” he elaborated.
The Ambassador further indicated that in March 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping first proposed the Global Civilization Initiative to the world which in June 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proposed by China to establish the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations.
HE also disclosed his country’s readiness to work with all parties to break down confrontation through dialogue and defuse differences through inclusiveness.
“Together, we will write a new chapter of mutual learning among civilizations featuring “each treasuring what of its own is beautiful, and what is different but beautiful can be shared. We are willing to work together with countries around the world, including African countries, to build bridges of communication, pave smooth paths for cooperation, and make continuous progress towards building a community with a shared future for mankind”
BY ZEKARIAS WOLDEMARIAM
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 8 MAY 2025
