Chinese Language Day at the UN Office in Armenia

YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS: Today students, university professors, authorities, diplomats and journalists learned about the use of the Chinese Language at the UN during the first ever observation of the Chinese Language Day.

The event was organized by the UN Department of Public Information (UNDPI) jointly with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the Confucius Institute Educational-Cultural Center at the Brusov State Linguistic University.

The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Armenia - Tian Changchun, and Director of Confucius Institute Educational-Cultural Center at the Bryusov State Linguistic University - Naira Grigoryan, spoke about the use of the Chinese language in the UN, ancient Chinese traditions and culture, and opportunities to study Chinese in Armenia.

UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Dafina Gercheva said: “I am delighted to see the strong interest in the Chinese Language Day in Armenia. I would like also to draw the attention to the history and importance of the Chinese language in current global affairs. I sincerely hope that the celebrations will further expand the influence of Chinese as a UN official language and an opportunity for more people to learn about splendid Chinese civilization and culture and its contribution to the multilingualism at the UN.”

"The Chinese language was designated as one of the official languages of the United Nations from its very beginning. It is one of the most ancient and widely spoken languages in the world," said Kiyo Akasaka, Under Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information and Coordinator for Multilingualism at the UN.

At the event, students of the Confucius Institute made presentations on history and usages of the Chinese language at the UN and performed Chinese songs and wushu performances.

Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish are the six official languages of the United Nations. Starting in 2010, the United Nations Department of Public Information has announced the launch of “Language Days at the United Nations”, a new initiative which seeks to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity. UNDPI Yerevan Office is planning to mark all official languages of the UN throughout 2011.