Chinese Language Day, celebrated annually on April 20th, was established by the United Nations to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity and to recognize the contribution of Chinese to the world’s linguistic and cultural heritage. Chinese is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and is spoken by over a billion people worldwide, making it one of the most widely spoken languages on Earth.

April 20th was chosen to mark the celebration of Chinese Language Day in honor of Cangjie, a legendary figure credited with inventing Chinese characters. Chinese has a rich history that spans thousands of years, and its unique writing system, based on characters, has had a profound influence on the culture, philosophy, literature, and art of China and neighboring regions.

Chinese Language Day highlights the importance of learning and appreciating the language, encouraging global understanding and communication across cultural boundaries. The day is also an opportunity to celebrate the beauty and complexity of the Chinese language through literature, calligraphy, poetry, and other cultural expressions.

Events, workshops, and cultural activities are held around the world to promote Chinese language learning and to showcase the linguistic and cultural diversity that Chinese brings to the global community.