African sinologist calls for turning Chinese-language skills into mutual understanding

The real value of mastering the Chinese language lies beyond grammar and vocabulary, in the ability to navigate cultural differences respectfully and turn language skills into mutual understanding, an African sinologist said on Friday.

The 2026 World Chinese Language Conference is being held in Beijing from November 13 to 15, with the theme "Chinese: More Than a Language."

On the sidelines of the conference, Joseph Olivier Mendo'o, deputy director of the international exchange department of the China-Africa Business Council, said that learning Chinese has taught him to read between the lines.

"I think China gave me a different way of listening. That has nothing to do with tones or characters; it's about learning to read the context behind what people are actually saying," he said.

Beyond listening, the Chinese language let him see the similarities between Chinese and African values, Mendo'o said.

"I can spot actually some similarities between Chinese ideas of harmony and African communal values without flattening either culture. That is the gift beyond vocabulary. It does not erase differences. It lets me navigate them respectfully. And I did not see China only through media headlines anymore, because Chinese opened [the door to] ordinary, unscripted conversation where you can see the small struggles, the compromises, and hopes of the people building a life. That is what more than the language means to me, and the permission to understand a society from the inside, not just from summaries," he said.

With more than 90 countries now teaching Chinese in their national education systems, he called on the next generation of Chinese language learners to focus on mutual understanding.

"A long time ago, I saw Chinese as a tool for opportunities, door for trade, scholarship, chance to study. But that was valuable but incomplete. Language learning is a two-way responsibility. You know, they bring their own culture into this exchange. The best Chinese learners, for me, I know, are not just good at exams -- they are people who can actually explain their own homes to Chinese audiences and go beyond transactions by turning language skills into mutual understanding," said the expert.

African sinologist calls for turning Chinese-language skills into mutual understanding

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the United States has suggested that Ukraine could be offered membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in exchange for withdrawing from the Donbas, according to media reports.

"The Americans raised the question: 'If Ukraine joins NATO, would it withdraw from the Donbas?' This was the first time such a question had been raised," Zelensky told reporters in remarks released by his office on Saturday.

Zelensky has reaffirmed that Ukraine will not retreat or give up its territory. He said Ukraine was discussing a comprehensive security package with its partners that could be offered during peace negotiations.

The package includes specific security guarantees from NATO and the European Union, a strong army with a sufficient number of personnel and weapons, financial support for a specified period and a recovery plan backed by funding from clearly defined sources, Zelensky added.

Trilateral talks involving Russia, the United States and Ukraine just ended on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, with no agreement announced on a ceasefire, territorial disputes or long-term security guarantees.

On Thursday, U.S. envoy Jared Kushner said in a social media post that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to expand the next round to include European partners. He said this would allow discussions on broader post-war European security arrangements alongside territorial issues.

Zelensky says U.S. proposes Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas in exchange for NATO membership