On May 9th, 2016, the "Silk Road Cultures Coming to UN", as one of the activities of 2016 UN Chinese Language Day, was grandly held at Vienna, the capital of Austria. Master Yanliang and his students of Austrian Shaolin Cultural Center were invited to give a performance of the brilliant Shaolin Kungfu. Futhermore, Ambassador Shi Zhongjun of China delegation to the UN, Secretary-general Li Yong of UN Industrial Development Organization, Director Martin Nesirky of the UN Department of Public Information attended and addressed the activity. Mr.Wang Zhen, president of the UN Chinese Language Association attended the opening ceremony, and Secretary-general Wang Haijun of the Association presided over this activity.

On the scene of the event

Ambassador Shi Zhongjun of China delegation to the UN attends the activity and makes a speech.

A group photo of Master Yanliang and Ambassador Shi Zhongjun

This event also invited a variety of performing groups with strong Chinese character displaying the Chinese traditional culture, for example: Chinese folk songs, Chinese calligraphy and Shaolin Kungfu show. Following the lead of Master Yanliang, students of Austrian Shaolin Cultural Center showed Shaolin orthodox boxing, which was warmly applauded by the audience. People who attended this event spoke highly of the remarkable contribution the Austrian Shaolin Cultural Center has made in the spreading of Chinese culture.

Shaolin Kungfu Show

In 2010, UN Department of Public Information announced the launch of UN Chinese Language Day, with an aim to promote language and cultural diversity and facilitates the equal use of the six official UN languages, each language day for one of the six official UN languages.

A group photo

The Chinese language, has been declared as UN's official language since 1970s, enjoyed a higher status at UN than ever before. The UN also opens Chinese language classes for their employees each year, according to the introduction on UN's official website.(Editor: Chan Yue)