Chinese Language: Building a Bridge of Mutual Learning between Nations -- A lecture on "International Chinese Language Education, Calligraphy Art, and Public Diplomacy" at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen)

On the afternoon of April 18th, to mark International Chinese Language Day in 2024, a lecture on "International Chinese Language Education, Calligraphy Art, and Public Diplomacy" was held at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) Library, sponsored by the United Association of Calligraphy and hosted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) Library, as part of the program “Chinese Language: Building a Bridge of Mutual Learning between Nations”. Professor Zhou Bin from the International Chinese Education Center at the School of Humanities of Shanghai Jiao Tong University gave the lecture.

Professor Zhou Bin, based on his own case of international Chinese education using calligraphy as a carrier at the United Nations, analyzed from multiple dimensions the positive role of calligraphy teaching in international Chinese education in the international exchange of Chinese culture and mutual learning of world civilizations, and verified the theory proposed by Zhao Qizheng that "the concept of public diplomacy has undergone new development, and not only the government but also the public play a leading role in public diplomacy".

In his lecture, Professor Zhou started from the theory of cross-cultural psychology and verified the unique role of calligraphy in international Chinese language education through teaching psychological experiments. He proposed the convergent aesthetic laws in the dissemination of Chinese calligraphy among different races in the world, providing a new perspective for the cultural connotation education of international Chinese teaching in the new era. Audiences from around the world deeply appreciate the new-quality dissemination power of Chinese calligraphy in the international exchange of Chinese culture in the new era.

During the lecture, Professor Zhou donated his recent works to the Library of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), including Nature’s Elegance ·International Cultural Ambassador Zhou Bin's Calligraphy Works and A Creative Course in Calligraphy and Culture for HSK Basic Chinese Characters. Deputy Head Librarian Wang Wenfei accepted the donation on behalf of the library and issued a donation certificate to Professor Zhou Bin.

Written by Yu Sixu

Photograph by Gong Weifan

Translated by Wang Zhiguang