‘China Harnessing Language For Improved Cultural Ties With Nigeria’

The Deputy Director of the China Cultural Center in Nigeria, Liu Zhaping has said that China is harnessing the power of language to bridge cultures and foster cross-cultural relationship with Nigeria.

Zhaping said this in his remarks during the 2025 International Chinese Language Day celebration at the China Cultural Center in Abuja on Friday, stressing that the International Chinese Language Day is a global celebration for Chinese language enthusiasts, aiming at promoting Chinese language and cultural exchange.

He emphasized that the Chinese language is not merely a tool for communication but a bridge connecting cultures and hearts, saying “the China Cultural Center has been dedicated to advancing Chinese education and cultural exchange in Nigeria since its establishment.

“The centre offers diverse courses tailored to all proficiency levels, ages, and professions, with professional and passionate instructors providing high-quality teaching.

“The center’s cultural activities, such as calligraphy exhibitions, traditional opera performances, and martial arts demonstrations, immerse participants in China’s artistic heritage, deepening both linguistic skills and mutual understanding.”

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Liu also noted that Nigeria plays a key role in fostering China-Africa cultural ties, and the celebration aims to inspire more Nigerians to join this journey.

“Through International Chinese Language Day, the China Cultural Center hopes to strengthen the bond of friendship between China and Nigeria, enriching global cultural diversity.”

The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Mrs. Akudo-Nwosu,  said that Language is more than just a tool for communication.

Represented by the Assistant Director, Nseno Sunday Emiem, she noted that language is the “soul of a people, the vessel of their history and the bridge that connects civilizations.”

She added that “the International Chinese Language Day, celebrated annually on April 20th, is a testament to the richness of Chinese culture and its global influence.”

Also speaking, the Director, Education Support Services, Larai Nana Ahmed Musa, pointed out that language is the principal method of human communication, consisting of words used in a structured and conventional way and conveyed by speech, writing, or gesture.

She said “Chinese is a group of languages spoken natively by the ethnic Han Chinese majority and many minority ethnic groups in China, as well as by various communities of the Chinese diaspora.

“Approximately 1.39 billion people, or 17% of the global population, speak a variety of Chinese as their first language. Interestingly, the population of the Chinese people has made the language the highest spoken language that her people have become friendly with the rest of the world to share the value of togetherness.”

“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has encouraged the Learning of the Chinese language by her nationals as a unique window into the rich cultural heritage of China, fostering cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.”