Spain celebrates UN Chinese Language Day

The United Nations celebrated Chinese Language Day on April 20th, highlighting cultural diversity and multilingualism. Over 100 million people are learning Mandarin Chinese globally, with over 70 nations incorporating Chinese language teaching into their national education systems, and more than 4,000 universities offering ‘zhong wen’ courses. The Complutense University in Madrid is one of the country’s top universities offering Chinese language classes, with students drawn to the cultural aspect and beauty of the characters. Consuelo Marco Martinez, the Director of Oriental Studies at UCM, has helped build a network of Chinese language courses across Spain, with over 320 students studying the language in first-year courses. In celebrating 50 years of official diplomatic relations between Spain and China, the countries have agreed on greater student exchanges, with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez promising better and quicker access to visas for Chinese tourists and students. The UN’s Chinese Language Day theme, “Chinese Wisdom for a Green World,” promotes solutions for green and sustainable development for the future.

Sources: CGTN