ILO official embraces China through UN China Study Programme

Learning Chinese helps to better understand the viewpoint and political perspectives of the country, said a diplomat.

"In my diplomatic work with the ILO Governing Body and the International Labour Conference, China is a major player on the multilateral arena," Angelika Muller, head of the Official Relations and Correspondence Unit at the International Labour Organization, said.

"I started learning Chinese to better understand the temperament and political perspectives of this country."

During her stay in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, Muller attended intensive Chinese language courses at Nanjing University, with four hours of classes each day, while afternoons were devoted to cultural activities. On weekends, she travelled with fellow UN colleagues to cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Huangshan.

"I was very happy to learn Chinese in Nanjing," she said, adding that learning the language also requires a genuine interest in the country's history and culture.

"You cannot learn such a difficult language if you are not interested in the country, its history and culture."

Recalling her time in China, Muller said visiting the Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre left a deep impression on her. She also highlighted her experience of Kunqu Opera in Nanjing as a memorable moment, adding, "I could even perform two small extracts with my Chinese teacher and another UN colleague."

Describing her experience in China in three words — history, arts and gastronomy — Muller said the programme strengthened her appreciation of Chinese culture and people-to-people friendship.

"We need so much friendship among people and countries," she said, encouraging other UN colleagues to learn Chinese and join the immersion programme to gain a deeper understanding of China and the world.