Education leaders highlight learning language to broaden horizons at Chinese language conference

Educators participating in the 2024 World Chinese Language Conference have highlighted language learning's role in expanding horizons and promoting inter-cultural exchanges.

The 2024 World Chinese Language Conference, which began in Beijing on Friday, has brought together over 2,000 education leaders, scholars, and educators from more than 160 countries and regions to discuss the future of Chinese language education.

With the theme of "Interconnection and Integration," the three-day event aims to strengthen cultural exchanges and deepen mutual understanding through language education.

"For most of the sciences and the students in this fields, it is important to know what is happening in China. They have to read articles and magazines," said Falk Hoehn, director of Confucius Institute of the Stralsund University of Applied Sciences.

Despite political challenges, many educators are striving to help break down barriers, stereotypes and misunderstandings, promoting people-to-people relationships.

"For young people in particular, I think that the study of Chinese certainly presents all kinds of opportunities. We are still quite connected countries, no matter what happens in terms of ideology. And I think when students start to see that, and most importantly, when students come to China, that's the most essential learning," said Paul Manfredi, director of Chinese Studies Program of Pacific Lutheran University.

Experts believe language is not just a tool for career development but also crucial for expanding one's horizons and seeing more possibilities.

"Learning Chinese opens a lot of new opportunities for your life, not only opportunities to work in a company to make money, but also an opportunity to open their mind, and to have a broader view of the world," said Luis Antonio Paulino, director of the Confucius Institute of Sao Paulo State University.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has reported that as of April 2023 over 180 countries and regions offer Chinese language programs, with 82 integrating Chinese into their national education systems. Globally, more than 30 million people are engaged in Chinese language learning

Education leaders highlight learning language to broaden horizons at Chinese language conference

Education leaders highlight learning language to broaden horizons at Chinese language conference

Mexico will unveil retaliatory tariffs against the United States on Sunday, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Tuesday, condemning the U.S. tariff hike as "unjustified."

Sheinbaum, who had called for "temperance, serenity and patience" ahead of the tariff enforcement, reaffirmed that Mexico would not tolerate subordination or foreign intervention. She also accused Washington of violating the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and rejected White House claims linking her government to organized crime, calling them "offensive and baseless."

The 25-percent U.S. tariffs, which took effect at midnight between Monday and Tuesday, have already impacted Mexico's financial markets. The Mexican peso depreciated nearly 1 percent on Tuesday, reaching 20.90 per U.S. dollar in interbank trading. Analysts attribute the decline to concerns over escalating trade tensions, warning that further U.S. tariff hikes could follow.

With roughly 80 percent of Mexico's exports heading to the United States, analysts warn that the dispute poses significant challenges for both economies.

Despite the ongoing tensions, Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico remains open to dialogue while preparing countermeasures to safeguard its economic interests.

Mexico to impose retaliatory tariffs on US: President