STORY: UN, Chinese embassy celebrate Chinese Language Day in Kenya
SHOOTING TIME: April 19, 2024
DATELINE: April 20, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:47
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the performances
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ZAINAB HAWA BANGURA, Director-general of UNON
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANNE NJOKI, Chinese language student

STORYLINE:

The United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) and the Chinese Embassy in Kenya celebrated UN Chinese Language Day on Friday with a vibrant event. The ceremony featured traditional music from the instrument orchestra of east China's Nanjing University and was attended by senior UN officials, diplomats, students and faculty members from local universities.
   
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian and Director-general of UNON Zainab Hawa Bangura attended the event. They emphasized the importance of UN Chinese Language Day, which falls on April 20, in promoting multilateralism and a shared future for humanity.
   
Describing Chinese as an official language of the United Nations, Bangura said that UN Chinese Language Day, first celebrated in 2010, has helped deepen the world's understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ZAINAB HAWA BANGURA, Director-general of UNON
"It's one of the UN Languages declared by the Security Council at the General Assembly and this is really the first time we are celebrating it here because the UN has a policy of promoting multilingualism. For us, it's an honor that we are able to celebrate it here and look at the culture, where it came from. Africa has a lot to learn from China. China has a lot to learn from Africa. It's a win-win situation by sharing experiences, connecting, creating diversity and support from every crowd. I'm very happy."

The UN Chinese Language Day event at the UN Office in Nairobi included calligraphy, lectures and a musical performance by an orchestra from Nanjing University, one of the top universities in Asia.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANNE NJOKI, Chinese language student
"I studied at Kenyatta University Confucius Institute. I began my Chinese journey in September 2022. So right now it's around one and half years. I think Chinese coming to Kenya especially the language has really empowered many youths."

The Chinese envoy said that since its inception in 2010, UN Chinese Language Day has provided a platform for the world to learn about contemporary China and its rich culture. He added that language can bridge divisions, promote peaceful co-existence, foster cross-cultural understanding, and create a future of shared destiny.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)