In 2010, the UN introduced Language Days to honor linguistic diversity and promote the equal status of its official languages. The UN Chinese Language Day coincides with Grain Rain (谷雨), the sixth of the 24 solar terms, as a tribute to Cangjie, who is regarded as the inventor of Chinese characters.

This year's International Chinese Language Day provided an opportunity for students from East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) to share their personal connections with their favorite Chinese characters.

I believe that the character "孝" (xiào, filial piety) holds profound significance. From early on, parents nurture their children to become the foundation of society. As children mature and parents age, it becomes our duty to show filial respect and fulfill our responsibilities towards them. Even after their passing, it is essential to honor their memory and carry on their legacy through filial piety.

- Lai Lihao, Malaysia

I am fond of the character “福” (fú, luck), symbolizing happiness, wealth, and prosperity. It is common for people to hang the fu character upside down during Spring Festival to symbolize the arrival of good fortune, as the pronunciation of "upside down" in Chinese sounds like "福到了" (fú dào le), which means "happiness has arrived".

- Vika, Kazakhstan

I have a deep appreciation for the character "三" (sān, three). In Taoism, "three" embodies the essence of life. Despite its simplicity, this number holds profound philosophical, biological, and medical significance. By delving into the meaning behind this character, we gain insight into the various facets of Taoist philosophy and Chinese culture.

- Wang Xuan, France

I like the character "活" (huó, alive). It carries numerous meanings, but my personal favorite is the adjective "vibrant". The radical "氵" in the character "活" symbolizes flowing water, so encountering the character is akin to witnessing lively, flowing water with a vibrant sense.

- Ding Mingming, Thailand

"爱" (ài, love) encompasses a multitude of meanings. It embodies a feeling, an emotion, and a mode of expression. To me, "爱" is akin to the armor of the heart. In the presence of genuine love, individuals shed their disguises and reveal their innermost selves. "爱" instructs us to perceive the world through our hearts and to cherish the small wonders around us. This is why I like it the most.

- Hu Yang, Myanmar

Source: “ies_students” WeChat account