From David Onuoja, Abuja
Chinese Language, has been described as the 6th official language of the United Nations with about 190 Countries and regions worldwide that have implemented Chinese language teaching, including about 200 million international learners and users.
This was made known yesterday in Abuja by Mr Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counselor of Chinese Embassy and Director of China Cultural Centre in Nigeria (CCCIN), during the 2026 International Chinese Language Day Celebration, held at the China Culture Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.
He said, International Chinese Language Day, coincided with what he described as the “Grain Rain,” one of the twenty-four solar terms in the traditional Chinese calendar. Where a Legend has it that, this special day commemorated Cangjie, the legendary inventor of Chinese characters.
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Mr Jianxing added that, Chinese is the genetic link that carries the torch of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. Every Chinese character is not only a symbol of communication but also a historical memory and a crystallization of wisdom.
According to him, “In today’s world, Chinese is not only a “gift across time,” but also a “golden bridge” connecting people’s hearts. Chinese is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.
“Chinese Language is a bridge of harmony: For thousands of years, the Chinese nation has pursued the concept of “harmony and coexistence.” This wisdom is embodied in the strokes of Chinese characters and the elegant prose of the Four Books and Five Classics. When we read famous Chinese philosophical ideas such as “the world belongs to all” and “do not do to others what you would not have them do to you,” we feel a resonance that transcends civilizations. These ideas resonate deeply with Nigerian culture, which also values harmony.
“Learning Chinese is undoubtedly an important shortcut to fully understanding China and realizing one’s dreams through participation in mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Nigeria in various fields.
The CCCIN director equally said that, good rain knows its season, falling when spring arrives,” and “To see a thousand miles further, climb one more story.” This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
“We hope that more and more Nigerian friends will learn Chinese, understand China, and enhance exchanges”, he said.
Speaking during her goodwill message, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT-Abuja, Comrade Grace Ike, has commended the deepening cultural and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and China as the 2026 Nigerian International Chinese Language Day was celebrated in Abuja.
She noted that journalists in the FCT have witnessed firsthand how effective communication dissolves barriers and builds enduring partnerships. Saying that Chinese language, with its rich heritage and global resonance, continues to enrich Nigeria’s multicultural landscape while opening collaborative opportunities in trade, education, and technology.
Comrade Ike reminded Chinese Embassy representative that the media plays a central role in illuminating shared aspirations for progress and innovation.
While appreciating the Chinese Embassy and the Director of the China Cultural Center, Yang Jianxing, for what she called an exceptionally cordial relationship with Journalists in the FCT. According to Ike, their openness and collaborative spirit have enabled balanced reporting, cultural exchanges, and insightful stories that strengthen Nigeria-China relations. Described the partnership as a model of strategic diplomatic engagement through media.
“On behalf of the NUJ FCT Council and its members, I congratulat the organizers for championing linguistic diversity and cultural diplomacy. She however, urged media practitioners to seize the moment to promote stories that highlight the intertwined futures of both countries, adding that the celebration should inspire a new era of harmony, knowledge exchange, and unbreakable bonds”, she added.
