Wellington Chinese School Celebrates 2025 International Chinese Language Day

On April 12, Wellington Chinese School held a celebration for the 2025 International Chinese Language Day at Johnsonville Library. The event was attended by Counselor Tang Jun from the Education, Science, and Culture Office of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, who delivered a speech. Other distinguished guests included Zhang Yi, Principal of Wellington Chinese School, and Sue, Community and Cultural Activities Manager of Johnsonville Library. Over a hundred Chinese language students and local residents participated in the festivities.

In her address, Counselor Tang Jun highlighted Chinese as one of the world’s oldest and most captivating languages. From the earliest oracle bone script to modern regular and cursive scripts, each Chinese character is like a time capsule, preserving China’s 5,000 years of civilization. Learning Chinese—the most widely used living ideographic writing system—not only deepens understanding of Chinese culture, fosters friendships, and allows one to benefit from China’s development but also enhances logical thinking and spatial imagination. She emphasized that language serves as a bridge for understanding and communication. Encouraging everyone to take International Chinese Language Day as an opportunity, she urged participants to embrace Chinese as a "timeless gift"—by writing a character, speaking a phrase, or reading a Chinese book. Through such efforts, she hoped to strengthen the bonds of mutual understanding between the peoples of China and New Zealand and contribute to the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.    The event featured captivating Chinese cultural performances and hands-on workshops. The audience was enthralled by traditional instrumental pieces such as "Yun Gong Xun Yin" (Rapid Clouds Over the Celestial Palace) and "Cai Yun Zhui Yue" (Colored Clouds Chasing the Moon). The well-known Chinese folk song "Jasmine Flower" transported listeners to the misty landscapes of Jiangnan, while a Tai Chi performance showcased the elegance of traditional martial arts. Following the performances, attendees enthusiastically participated in interactive cultural workshops, including Chinese painting, calligraphy, and intangible cultural heritage crafts such as movable-type printing and painted lacquer fans, immersing themselves in the richness of Chinese tradition.