This November, sinologists, educators, and students from around the globe gathered for the 2025 World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing. The event showcased personal stories of young learners who view Chinese as more than a language—its a bridge to new cultures, career paths, and lifelong friendships.
CGTN correspondent Merna Al Nasser guided viewers through the conferences vibrant halls, capturing tales of a Japanese software engineer who credits Mandarin for landing her dream job in Shanghai, an Argentine student who uses Chinese poetry to explore identity, and a Kenyan teacher connecting communities through a bilingual classroom in Nairobi.
One of the most touching moments came when Merna reconnected with a college friend in the crowdan unexpected reunion that underscored the deeply personal bonds formed through shared language journeys.
Amid workshops and cultural exhibitions, the conference unveiled "Chinese With Ease," a new interactive learning platform co-developed by CGTN and Beijing Language and Culture University Press. The tool uses AI-driven exercises, gamification, and real-world conversation simulations to help beginners dive into Chinese in a fun, intuitive way.
With over 1,500 attendees from more than 70 countries and regions, the conference highlights the growing global appetite for Chinese language skills. As world economies and cultures become increasingly interconnected, mastering Mandarin opens doors to cross-cultural collaboration and deeper understanding.
As Chinese language learning crosses borders, global youth are shaping new narratives of cultural connectionone character at a time.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
