On 6 May 2024, the United Nations Chinese Language Day activities, featuring “Diverse Cultures and Romantic Sceneries from Guangxi China: a Vivid Story of Civilization and Development”, was co-hosted at the Vienna International Center by the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations in Vienna and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) was invited to attend and address the opening ceremony. Vice Governor Miao Qingwang of Guangxi, Ambassador Li Song, Permanent Representative of China to the UN and other International Organizations in Vienna, Executive Secretary Robert Floyd of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization, Deputy Director General Thatchaichawalit of the United Nations Office in Vienna, Deputy Director-General Liu Hua of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and Deputy Director General Zou Ciyong of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and nearly 700 guests were present.

Shi Zhongjun underlined that the international situation is now undergoing profound and complex transformation, intertwined with mounting geopolitical uncertainties, setbacks in economic globalisation and sluggish post-pandemic recovery, which are posing a whole new set of challenges to the world and call for cooperation among countries to address and resolve. Against this backdrop, the UN Chinese Language Day activities are of great significance to helping promote mutual trust among nations, encourage mutual learning among civilisations, and deepen amity and harmony among peoples. The ASEAN-China partnership has evolved into a model for building state-to-state relations. Both sides honor the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, enhance comprehensive strategic partnerships, pursue common development through cooperation, continuously deepen people-to-people connectivity, uphold and promote Asian values featuring peace, cooperation, inclusiveness and integration. The ACC will continue to play its connecting and facilitating role in promoting best practices of ASEAN-China cooperation on the international multilateral fora and making stories between ASEAN and China better told and understood by the world. 

Miao Qingwang emphasised that the Chinese language carries rich historical and cultural heritage of the Chinese nation. The Chinese Language Day activities will undoubtedly promote Guangxi’s development through a better integration with the world. Guangxi, with its geographical proximity to the Greater Southwest of China and neighboring Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as its cultural affinity with ASEAN countries, serves as a crucial hub to align the Belt and Road Initiative with the development of Southeast Asia. The prospects for cooperation with ASEAN countries are very promising. Guangxi stands ready to strengthen cooperation with the international organizations under the United Nations in Vienna to further contribute to promoting regional economic integration, advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Li Song stressed that, as one of the UN’s six official languages, Chinese actively conveys the voice and propositions of the UN to the world, making positive contributions to promoting multilateralism. The Chinese Language Day activities, focusing on Guangxi this year, tell the story of China’s civilisation and development, showcasing the achievements in cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and ASEAN countries. In the new era, China continues to respect the exploration of development paths by peoples of all countries, adheres to principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness, and implement President Xi Jinping’s proposals for the Global Civilisation Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, so as to provide Chinese wisdom and solutions for mutual learning and common development of the civilisations all across the world. 

On the sidelines of the event, Secretary General Shi also engaged in discussions with leadership of the IAEA and the UNIDO on promoting cooperation between ASEAN and China in such fields as industrial development and peaceful use of nuclear energy. Secretary General Shi was also invited to watch cultural performances presented by Guangxi artists and tour a photo exhibition themed “Guangxi: a Vivid Story of Civilization and Development”. 

On the same day, Secretary General Shi was invited to attend a special reception for the ASEAN permanent missions in Vienna in celebration of the Chinese Language Day. Ambassador Li Song, as well as permanent representatives to the United Nations in Vienna from Malaysia, Myanmar and the Philippines, and other ASEAN diplomats based in Vienna were present. Secretary General Shi exchanged views with ASEAN diplomats on exploring future cooperation, drawing on professional strengths of the international organisations at the United Nations in Vienna.