Chinese Language Day celebrations open at UN Vienna

A series of events marking the United Nations Chinese Language Day, themed "World of Harmony: Encountering the Palace Museum in VIC (Vienna International Center)," were launched in Vienna on Monday.

More than 800 guests, including heads of international organizations, permanent representatives of different countries, senior diplomats, international staff, and people from all walks of life in Vienna, attended the opening ceremony for the events co-hosed by the Permanent Mission of China to Vienna, the Palace Museum and the UN Office at Vienna.

Li Song, China's permanent representative to the UN and other international organizations in Vienna, addressed the ceremony, saying that "World of Harmony" connotes a world brimming with righteousness and harmonious governance, which is particularly important in today's volatile and tumultuous world.

Guests at the ceremony said Chinese, as one of the official languages of the United Nations, carries profound historical and cultural heritage.

They said that international organizations in Vienna look forward to working with China and other UN members to further promote multilateralism, facilitate harmonious coexistence, exchanges and cooperation among different civilizations, and make joint efforts to promote world development and harmony.

"I think for us, it's important to get to know more about Chinese culture, and values that China brings to the table, and brings to the international community. When we talk about harmony, it's a lot about understanding, it's about cooperation, it's about respect, and it's also about how we really all despite differences can work together," said Bo Mathiasen, director of the Division for Operations at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

"Chinese language, so few of us can understand it. It's one collection, one part of the population that can understand it, but it's through language and through music, in particular, that we can get a sense of the culture and so on. But it makes us realize that diversity is so valuable," said Aarti Holla-Maini, director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.

At Monday's events, the Palace Museum presented its century-old collections and architectural aesthetics in a panoramic way to the world for the first time at the UN Headquarters in Vienna through immersive digital exhibitions and real-scene restorations, while a lecture on the Palace Museum in the digital age was popular among the guests.

The China National Traditional Orchestra also gave a concert themed "the Sounds of the Palace Museum," along with the display of classic calligraphic works of the museum. China's homegrown robots also staged a Taichi performance.

The Chinese Language Day events will last till April 17.

Chinese Language Day celebrations open at UN Vienna

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Saturday strongly condemned an Israeli attack on a Lebanese Army patrol that killed two officers and one soldier.

Condemning the attack on the Khardali-Nabatieh road earlier in the day as a flagrant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and international laws and norms, Aoun said in a statement that the strike was part of Israel's ongoing escalation, which threatens stability and security in southern Lebanon, despite Beirut's efforts in Washington negotiations to end the ongoing Israeli attacks.

Aoun said the fallen servicemen had joined a long list of military and civilian victims, including children, women, paramedics, rescue workers, and journalists killed in Israeli attacks.

He extended his condolences to the Lebanese Army command and the families of the victims, praising the sacrifices of the officers, soldiers, and other military personnel who had given their lives in defense of the country and its sovereignty.

He stressed that Lebanon would not waver in protecting its land and people. Such attacks, he added, would not deter the country from upholding its full national rights.

Aoun also called on the international community to assume its responsibilities, put an end to the repeated attacks, and ensure respect for relevant international resolutions to preserve Lebanon's security and stability.

On the same day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement confirming the attack and said it had launched an investigation into the incident.

According to the statement, the IDF spotted a vehicle "moving suspiciously" across an "active combat zone" in the Tebnit area of southern Lebanon on Saturday.

The IDF said it had previously received intelligence indicating that Hezbollah militants would open fire on Israeli troops from that area. Citing this intelligence and asserting that the vehicle posed a "threat to Israeli soldiers", the military carried out the strike.

Lebanese president slams Israeli attack killing 3 servicemen