The 2025 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) annual Chinese character release event was held on Sunday in Yongchuan District of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, where the character of the year -- Yong, meaning "everlasting" -- was officially announced.
Co-hosted by the China Public Relations Association and the People's Government of Yongchuan District, the event saw the character selected from a shortlist of nine contenders, which also include Kai, Lian and Wen, meaning openness, connectivity and stability, respectively.
The BRI annual Chinese character release event has been held since 2016, with selected characters for previous years including He (Harmony), Xin (Innovation) and Gong (Together).
The event aims to further promote Chinese culture, extend the reach and appeal of Chinese civilization, and facilitate people-to-people exchanges among Belt and Road countries.
BRI annual Chinese character unveiled in southwest China's Chongqing
