Dr.Ellen Ndeshi Namhila, Vice Chancellor of University of Namibia,

Mr. Djaffar Moussa-Elkadhum, Representative of UNESCO,

Namibian students and media friends,

Colleagues from the Embassy and Confucius Institute,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

Welcome to the celebration of 2022 International Chinese Language Day. The Chinese Embassy, together with the Confucius Institute in Namibia, is hosting a series of activities in celebrating this joyful date. As far as I know, this is also the first large scale function of the Confucius Institute since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. I’d like to thank you all for coming to this event.

The International Chinese Language Day, which is actually 20th April, was designated by the United Nation in 2015 with the aim of celebrating not only the inventor of Chinese language, Cangjie, but also the multilingualism and cultural diversity. The theme of this year's International Chinese Language Day is “Together for a bright future”. Through jointly fighting against the pandemic, we all have realized the importance of solidarity and togetherness. I hope that, by means of this year’s International Chinese Language Day, the culture exchange between China and Namibia, especially between the youth, which was almost halted by the COVID-19 Pandemic, can regain its momentum.

The “Chinese Bridge” Chinese language competition is a platform for Chinese language learners to showcase the result of their study. Since its inception in 2015, this year’s competition is the sixth. The first prize winner has the opportunity to go to China for the global final competition if the pandemic situation permits. The number of the contestants this year is smaller than before, but this can be a symbol of restart.

For the vast majority of foreigners, the Chinese language looks quite exotic and hard to learn. It is an unique and intriguing language indeed. Chinese is one of the oldest written language in the world, with a history of over 3,000 years. Even today, it is not too difficult for a Chinese to read scripts of more than 2,000 years before. The Chinese language is the only hieroglyphic script among the six official languages of the United Nation. The grammar of Chinese is much different from that of English or the Ovambo language, and it is relatively simple. The Chinese calligraphy deserves to be called an art. It is so fascinating that even the world-known Spanish artist Picasso once said that had he been born Chinese, he would rather be a calligrapher, not a painter.

Nowadays, with the increasing economic power and international influence of China, a "Chinese language fever" is sweeping the world. Last December, the famous English band Westlife held its first virtual concert through WeChat (a Chinese social media platform) and performed singing a Chinese song named Ordinary Path, which attracted 27.9 million viewers. 

At present, more and more Namibians are learning Chinese, too. Undoubtedly, the majority of them are students and some of them have exhibited extraordinary talent. For example, VM6, a Namibian chorus, took part in the prestigious Music International Video Contest held in China in 2020 and won the first prize. I myself now and then came across some Namibians in Windhoek or other places who can speak Mandarin very well. To learn a foreign language is tantamount to openning another window to the ocean of knowledge. To master a language like Chinese enables one to enrich his or her life. I can boast of it. China is now Namibia’s largest trade partner and foreign investor. Around 10 thousand Chinese visited Namibia annually just before the pandemic. There are also increasing number of Namibians going to China for studying, training, travelling or doing business. Such an interaction momentum surely calls for professionals who are familiar with both China and Namibia.

Finally, I sincerely wish 2022 International Chinese Language Day a great success and every participant a wonderful performance!

Thank you!