Director-General/Executive Director
Ambassador Li Song,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to join you today to mark Chinese Language Day, a celebration of one of the world’s oldest and richest languages.
I would like first and foremost to thank Ambassador Li Song for taking us on a journey through time to learn about the Chinese language, from bamboo manuscripts to brushstrokes, and for availing this exhibition to VIC staff and visitors.
Chinese characters, with their roots dating back thousands of years, are more than just symbols on paper; they are true works of art.
Coming from an old civilization myself, where in ancient Egypt manuscripts were written on papyrus, I feel a special link to this event.
Each brushstroke carries meaning, tradition, and beautiful craftmanship, be it on bamboo or paper.
In many ways, it reminds us also of the art of diplomacy itself.
Like a well-drawn character, diplomacy requires precision, patience, and an understanding of historical context, and this is what the UN has been about for 80 years and continues to be.
For centuries, languages have served as a bridge between cultures, helping to build relationships through trade, diplomacy, and sharing ideas and science across regions.
Today, with China emerging as an economic, technological and industrial powerhouse, millions of people worldwide are becoming interested in learning Chinese every year.
And as one of the official languages of the UN, the Chinese language plays an important role in promoting dialogue, understanding, and communication among countries.
It ensures that the voices of over 1.3 billion people who speak the language are represented in international discourse.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to our dedicated UN Chinese language interpreters and translators.
In 2024, they provided over 1,500 hours of interpretation and translated more than 4 million words into Chinese.
Their work is more vital than ever, as we race through a digital age dominated by AI, language apps, and instant messaging.
As we do so, we must not lose sight of the old ways – the power of the ink, the brush, and the beauty of the written word.
Because these traditions have shaped how we communicate today, and they remind us that language is not just functional, it is deeply cultural, human, and artistic.
So let us continue to be inspired by this beautiful language, as we work to keep it alive for generations to come.
Thank you, and I wish you joyful celebrations.
