Chinese Language Day Celebrated Globally, Honouring Heritage and Communication

Mando School website

Traditional red Chinese lanterns hanging outside a building.

The United Nations is marking Chinese Language Day on 20 April, an annual observance aimed at promoting multilingualism and cultural diversity across the organisation and beyond.

The date was chosen in honour of Cangjie, a legendary figure in Chinese tradition credited with the invention of Chinese characters. His story symbolises the historical depth and cultural significance of one of the world’s oldest written languages.

Chinese Language Day is one of six UN language days, each dedicated to one of the organisation’s official languages. These observances are designed to highlight the importance of linguistic diversity and encourage greater understanding between cultures.

Across UN offices and partner institutions, the day is marked through educational events, exhibitions, and cultural activities showcasing Chinese literature, calligraphy, and history.


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