Established in 2010, the day pays tribute to Cangjie, a symbolic figure credited with the creation of Chinese writing. It coincides with “Gu Yu” (Grain Rain), a traditional Chinese solar term associated with renewal and growth.
The ceremony brought together diplomats, academics, and cultural stakeholders, including Ms. Li Fei, Minister Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Senegal; Mr. Zheng Cheng Gong, Director of the Confucius Institute at UCAD; and Mr. Moustapha Sall, Special Advisor to the Rector representing university authorities.
In his address, Zheng Cheng Gong emphasized that the celebration is part of the 2026 China-Africa cultural exchange agenda. He highlighted the Chinese language as a powerful vehicle for promoting peace, development, and stronger people-to-people ties between Senegal and China.
For her part, Ms. Li Fei underscored the central role of language as a pillar of identity, culture, and development. She praised the strong academic cooperation between Senegalese and Chinese universities and encouraged broader integration of languages into educational systems.
Representing the Rector, Moustapha Sall pointed out the growing global importance of Chinese, describing it as a strategic language in economic, scientific, and tourism sectors. He called for its progressive inclusion in university curricula.
The celebration featured a rich program of cultural and educational activities, including calligraphy workshops, artistic competitions, musical performances, exhibitions, and academic discussions, highlighting the depth and diversity of Chinese culture.
With over 1.2 billion speakers worldwide, Mandarin remains the most spoken native language globally. Through this celebration, organizers aim to strengthen intercultural dialogue and showcase the contribution of the Chinese language to the world’s cultural heritage.
Moussa Diba
