Chinese language day event sows seeds of friendship

The Chinese embassy in Washington welcomed more than 500 people on Tuesday to mark International Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20, with a celebration filled with vibrant colors and rhythmic energy.

Themed "Chinese: Sparking Colorful Dreams", the event offered an immersive introduction to Chinese heritage through interactive exhibits and dynamic performances by a delegation from the education department of Central China's Henan province.

Teachers and students from Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia joined members of the delegation in exploring cultural showcases, including the Henan Meets the World exhibition.

Visitors tried on elaborate Yuju Opera headpieces, practiced paper-cutting and tested their hand at Chinese calligraphy. The immersive setting allowed young guests — most of whom have been learning some Chinese — to feel the pulse of Henan's cultural depth.

Qiu Wenxing, deputy chief of mission and minister at the embassy, highlighted the significance of International Chinese Language Day, which coincides with guyu, or Grain Rain, one of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese calendar.

The United Nations designated the day to honor Cangjie, the legendary figure credited with creating Chinese characters more than 5,000 years ago, bringing Chinese civilization out of ignorance and toward a bright future, Qiu said.

"The season of guyu is a beautiful time for sowing hope and nurturing harvest," he said. "Let's use the Chinese language as a medium to light up colorful dreams, sow the seeds of friendship and understanding, and work hard to welcome a better tomorrow for China-US relations together."

Qiu drew on the philosophical meaning embedded in Chinese characters to interpret the essence of China-US relations, focusing in part on ren, or person. The character's two strokes, he noted, suggest mutual support — an idea he linked to the adage "United we stand, divided we fall".

"So it applies to the China-US relationship: I can say cooperation, the two countries prosper together; confrontation, the two countries both lose," he said.

Serving as bridge

Candice Bobo, interim head of Creative Minds International Public Charter School, emphasized the power of language as a bridge.

"At Creative Minds International, we believe deeply that learning a language is one of the most powerful things a young person can do," she said. "It doesn't just give you words; it gives you a window into another way of thinking and another way of being in the world."

Wang Huaxing, director of external cooperation and exchange at Henan's Education Department, underscored the province's cultural richness as the birthplace of Chinese characters. She concluded with a heartfelt wish, saying, "May the friendship between American and Chinese youth last forever."

A kung fu performance by Songshan Shaolin Wushu College featured a human tower built with remarkable steadiness and strength, drawing loud cheers and applause from the audience. A traditional ensemble featuring the pipa, suona, sheng and erhu performed a medley from the classic Journey to the West, bringing its familiar tales to life.

During the interactive session, students vied for a chance to learn martial arts on stage, with dozens rushing forward to practice punches and kicks under the masters' guidance. The hall echoed with synchronized shouts as they mirrored their teachers' powerful movements.

At the back of the hall, 10-year-old Leo, a local student, practiced a tai chi move he had just learned.

"I liked the martial arts the best, especially when they built the tower and didn't move at all," he said. "The music was also cool because it sounded like a story. It makes me want to visit China and see more of the kung fu."