Chinese envoy says India-China ties improving; Chinese language education developing steadily

At a function held by the Embassy of China in New Delhi to celebrate the 2026 International Chinese Language Day, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong said that since taking office two years ago, he is pleased to see that with the improvement of bilateral relations, Chinese language education has been developing steadily in India. He welcomed attendees and noted the theme for 2026, 'Chinese: Sparking Colourful Dreams', encouraging attendees to use the language as a bridge to 'transcend mountains and seas' and to jointly paint a colourful picture of China-India exchanges. He stated that more than 30 Indian universities now offer Chinese courses and that a growing number of primary and secondary schools are introducing Chinese into their curricula. The envoy offered greetings and gratitude to all who have long contributed to Chinese language education and China-India friendship. He described Chinese as one of the world's oldest languages and an important window into China, adding that an increasing number of international friends have fallen in love with China through learning Chinese. He noted that taking an impromptu trip to China and experiencing the real China firsthand is emerging as a new trend among young people worldwide. With the ongoing modernization of China and the rise of technologies such as artificial intelligence, he concluded that the global reach and influence of the Chinese language will surely continue to grow.