Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China commemorated the 2026 International Chinese Language Day with a vibrant event at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja on Monday.
In his welcome address, Cultural Counsellor and Director of the China Cultural Centre, Yang Jianxing, described the Chinese language as a timeless vessel of civilisation and a “golden bridge” connecting people across cultures and generations.
Yang emphasised that the Chinese language embodies over 5,000 years of civilisation, evolving from ancient scripts to modern forms while preserving history, philosophy, and artistic expression. He noted that Chinese is one of the official languages of the United Nations, with more than 200 million learners globally, making it a vital tool for communication, harmony, and shared aspirations.
The Cultural Counsellor linked the importance of language learning to China’s development trajectory under its newly adopted 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), noting that increased cultural exchange and cooperation would open new opportunities for Nigeria-China relations.
He encouraged Nigerians to learn Chinese as a pathway to deeper understanding and participation in bilateral cooperation.
In his remarks, Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mohammed Bulama, described language as “the soul of a people” and a critical instrument for diplomacy, trade, and cultural exchange in today’s interconnected world.
Bulama stressed FRCN’s role as Africa’s largest radio network broadcasting in over 25 languages, connecting millions of listeners. Bulama also referenced the launch of the “Ni Hao China” programme in July 2025, a collaboration with the Chinese Embassy aimed at teaching Mandarin and promoting cultural understanding.
According to him, the initiative aligns with agreements reached during the state visit of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to China in September 2024, designed to boost trade, tourism, and communication between both countries. He added that the Chinese language continues to open new frontiers for storytelling, knowledge sharing, and mutual respect among nations.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, Grace Ike, described the celebration as a reflection of the power of language in fostering unity and strengthening bilateral relations.
She commended the Chinese Embassy and the leadership of the China Cultural Centre for maintaining a cordial and productive relationship with journalists in the Federal Capital Territory. Ike noted that such collaboration has enabled balanced reporting, cultural exchange, and deeper understanding between Nigeria and China.
The event featured language, musical and cultural performances from both Chinese and Nigerian contingents.
Spoken by over 1.4 billion people as their first language, Chinese is the world’s most widely spoken native language and is increasingly vital in global communication.
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