Confucius Values Celebrated Globally on International Chinese Language Day 2024

The 15th United Nations Chinese Language Day was celebrated on April 20, 2024, with events held worldwide to promote the values of Confucianism and showcase the beauty of the Chinese language and culture. The Confucius Institute at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, marked the occasion with various activities, including a Chinese dictation competition, a Chinese film and TV series dubbing show, and demonstrations of Taiji and Chinese dance.

Professor Chen Xuebin, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, conveyed appreciation for the opportunity to host the event and highlighted the cultural significance of the Chinese language worldwide. "The event was filled with a warm and lively atmosphere, promoting cultural exchanges and nurturing closer ties between China and Sierra Leone," he said.

The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E. Ambassador Wang Qing, stressed the practical benefits of learning Chinese, citing its status as one of the United Nations' six working languages and its integration into national education systems worldwide.

In a precursor to the 10th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, the China-Japan Confucianism Dialogue was held at Kansai University in Japan on April 22. Over 20 experts and scholars engaged in a profound dialogue on the modern values of Confucianism, acknowledging the close cultural ties between China and Japan as part of the East Asian Confucian cultural circle.

The scholars emphasized the significance of cross-cultural exchanges and communication in nurturing a harmonious and diverse world, and called for collaboration between China and Japan to serve as a model for the future of humanity. The Shandong Academy of Social Sciences, the Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, and Kansai University in Japan expressed their commitment to long-term collaboration and exchange.

Why this matters: The celebration of International Chinese Language Day and the promotion of Confucian values highlight the growing influence and importance of Chinese language and culture on a global scale. These events foster cross-cultural understanding and cooperation, which are essential for building a harmonious and diverse world in an increasingly interconnected era.

The celebration of International Chinese Language Day 2024 culminated with a concert featuring Chinese classical and folk music performed on traditional instruments and vocals at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on April 23. The event, titled 'A Panorama of Hunan Province -- A Concert of Traditional Chinese Instruments in Celebration of the UN Chinese Language Day Programme,' was jointly organized by the permanent mission of China to the UN office in Geneva, other international organizations in Switzerland, the UN office in Geneva, and China Media Group. Nearly 400 guests from around the world attended the concert, which not only commemorated Chinese Language Day but also honored the history and experiences of the Chinese people, celebrated shared humanity and heritage, and highlighted the significance of unity, diversity, and solidarity in nurturing global understanding and cooperation.

Key Takeaways

• The 15th UN Chinese Language Day was celebrated worldwide on April 20, 2024.
• The Confucius Institute in Sierra Leone hosted various cultural activities to mark the occasion.
• The China-Japan Confucianism Dialogue discussed the modern values of Confucianism at Kansai University.
• The celebration culminated with a concert of traditional Chinese music at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
• The events promoted the global influence and importance of Chinese language and culture.