2025 UN Chinese Language Day and CMG Video Festival held in Geneva

The 2025 United Nations Chinese Language Day and the 5th China Media Group (CMG) Chinese Language Video Festival were held at the UN Office in Geneva on Tuesday.

The event, co-hosted by the CMG, the Permanent Mission of China to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, and the UN Office at Geneva, invited friends worldwide to share their "China Travel" stories through video.

Over 300 guests attended the event, including representatives from the organizers, permanent representatives to the UN office in Geneva from around 50 countries, senior diplomats, representatives of international organizations and institutions.

Addressing the event via video link, Shen Haixiong, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and CMG president, said the increasing popularity of Chinese culture and Chinese stories has attracted more and more international viewers to explore China.

Stressing that China's development cannot be separated from the world and that the world's prosperity also needs China, Shen expressed his hope that through this event, more foreign friends will come to China to discover new opportunities.

Tatiana Valovaya, director-general of the UN office in Geneva, said the Chinese language, as one of the oldest and most influential languages in the world, has always been a bridge for exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

She called for joint efforts to respect the diversity of civilizations to embrace a better future.

Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, said the annual Chinese Language Day not only reflects the importance the UN places on Chinese language and culture, but also illustrates the UN's firm commitment to promoting exchanges and mutual learning among world civilizations.

At the event, past winners of the Chinese Language Video Festival prizes shared their experiences. Max Burns from the UK, who is passionate about Chinese cuisine, expressed his desire to travel across China and share his culinary adventures with a global audience. Eleni Sotiriou from Greece hopes to return to China to study classical Chinese dance and explore more of the country's rich culture.

Also at the event, a new integrated media product named "China Travel with Cang Bao" was launched. The product, featuring Cang Bao, the mascot of UN Chinese Language Day, told the audience engaging Chinese stories in a relaxed and immersive way to help them explore the rich Chinese cultural heritage through the use of digital technology.

2025 UN Chinese Language Day and CMG Video Festival held in Geneva

A welcoming ceremony for two Chinese giant pandas was held on Wednesday at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo, one of the world's oldest zoos, marking the official start of their decade-long stay in Austria for scientific research and as ambassadors of friendship.

The pandas, male He Feng and female Lan Yun, arrived in Austria on April 23.

Addressing the welcoming ceremony, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen highlighted that giant pandas are a symbol of the strong friendship between Austria and China.

"Cooperations like these create trust. They bring nations closer together. We shouldn't underestimate the impact of these seemingly small occasions, despite all the differences that may exist. And the giant pandas are a symbol of the Chinese-Austrian [partnership]," said the president.

Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, who led a delegation to Austria from Sunday to Wednesday, also attended the welcoming ceremony.

"Like ambassadors, they will become mascots of friendship between the two countries and their peoples. The giant panda is a national treasure of China, a jewel in the diversity of the earth's species and a precious treasure of ecological civilization," Li said.

As part of the ceremony, the Schoenbrunn Zoo staged a traditional Chinese lion dance performance to celebrate the pandas' arrival, to the cheers of visitors. Among the crowds were dozens of local school children holding signs reading "warmly welcome" to demonstrate their love for the Chinese giant panda.

"It's a very nice moment today to welcome the bears in Austria in Tiergarten Schoenbrunn," said Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in an interview with the China Global Television Network.

The panda pair's arrival marks the latest 10-year round of the scientific collaboration between China and Austria on giant panda conservation, which started in 2003.

The past years of cooperation saw the birth of five panda cubs in Austria, a record for Europe on breeding, alongside achievements made in disease control, staff training and public education.

Panda pair debuts at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo, receiving warm welcome