Honorable Mr. Shankar Prasad Pandey, Secretary of Ministry for Education of Nepal,
Distinguished guests and dear friends, Ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon.
It's my great pleasure to attend this Awarding Ceremony of the 2nd Ambassador Cup Chinese Language Contest at this pleasant day of golden autumn. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, I wish to extend my warm welcome to the distinguished guests here, and my sincere congratulations to the complete success of the contest and all the winners. I would like to also express my deeply thanks to Chinese volunteer teachers, Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University, Confucius Classroom at CRI, Nepalese students as well as all Nepalese friends who have dedicated to the contest.
China is one of the very earliest cradles of human civilization. Chinese language is the most ancient and mostly spoken language in the world. It is also one of the official working languages of the United Nation. In the recent years, with continuous high-speed development of Chinese economy and enhancement of comprehensive state power of China, an unprecedented upsurge of Chinese language study in the world has appeared. Statistics shows that at present time, more than 3000 universities in over 100 countries offer course of Chinese language. More than 40 million foreign people are learning Chinese language. Many countries including United State, Canada and Japan have listed Chinese Language as a foreign language to be tested by students who want to enroll universities.
Nepal and China are good neighbors, good friends and good partners. The good-neighborly partnership featuring everlasting friendship has deeply rooted among the people of the two countries and cultural exchange between two countries is of long standing. With the constant development of China-Nepal friendship in recent years, Nepalese people are getting more and more eager to learn Chinese language and culture. Therefore, Chinese government has sent 7 batches of Chinese language volunteer teachers to Nepal to teach Chinese language. The Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University and Confucius Classroom at China Radio International have been established to provide more access to Nepalese people to learn Chinese language. At present time, about 10 thousand Nepalese people are learning Chinese language. I'm so glad to see more participants take part in the contest this year and their Chinese speaking are of higher level. In the 1st Chinese Culture Performance Contest held in the beginning of this month, Nepalese students have given wonderful performances of Chinese singing and dancing. All these prove fruitful achievements of cultural exchange between our two countries.
Language is the carrier of culture and the tool of communication. More foreign people learning Chinese language will help to strengthen bridge linking hearts of two peoples and tighten bond to China-Nepal relations. That's why I'm here to encourage you to study Chinese language. Then you can better understand profound Chinese civilization and Chinese cultural tradition which has long history of more than 5000 years. Besides, it will help you to understand harmonious high-speed development of China today and history of China-Nepal culture as well as perspective of better China-Nepal relations. I should say it's timing to study Chinese language and your future is boundless.
Finally, on the occasion of the 62th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the coming Dashain Festival of the Nepalese people, I wish to extend best greetings to all Nepalese and Chinese friends. Wish more and more Nepalese friends become Chinese language talents and friendly envoys for China-Nepal friendship. Wish Chinese language teaching in Nepal achieves better developments.
Thank you.