Chinese, one of the six official languages of the United Nations (UN) and used by nearly a fifth of the world’s population, is an essential part of human cultural heritage, Denis Francis, president of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, said here Friday at a Chinese cultural exhibition.
The event, themed “Encountering Chinese Characters, Harmony and Coexistence,” was hosted by the Chinese city of Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province, to mark the 15th UN Chinese Language Day.
The exhibition offered an immersive cultural experience that combined Chinese calligraphy, painting, music and tea.
Language is not just a means of communication but also a bridge connecting people and cultures, thereby enriching our life experiences, said Francis, who shared his experience with Chinese calligraphy.
“During my visit to China in January this year, I had the opportunity to try calligraphy. I wrote the Chinese character ‘Fu,’ meaning ‘happiness,'” he said.