Remarks by the Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management and UN Coordinator for Multilingualism.
Excellency [Fu Cong], Distinguished guests, colleagues, Zao shang hao (Good morning)! It is both an honour and a pleasure to join you today, in my capacity as UnderSecretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management and United Nations Coordinator for Multilingualism, as we celebrate Chinese Language Day 2025 — a moment once again to revel in the cultural richness and beauty of Chinese, one of the world’s oldest languages. Each year, Chinese Language Day provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on the cultural heritage and global influence of the Chinese language. From the timeless wisdom of Confucius and Laozi, to the lyrical brilliance of Li Bai and Du Fu, from the graceful strokes of Chinese calligraphy to the melodic traditions of Chinese opera, the Chinese language and culture have made lasting contributions to our shared human story. Today’s activities give us a glimpse into this remarkable legacy – where poetry, rhymes, romance, art and song intertwine to tell...