The International Conference of Chinese Characters is currently taking place in Anyang, China's Henan Province, from Thursday to Saturday. Discussions at the event center on the importance of Chinese characters, domestically and globally. Many international students are sharing their thoughts on learning them. Zhou Yixin reports. 

When talking about Chinese characters, we have to mention the Yin Ruins in the city of Anyang. It's the site where the famous Oracle Bone Inscriptions, an ancient script with a history spanning over 3-thousand years, were discovered. This makes Anyang a hugely important location in the history of Chinese civilization.

Participants at the opening ceremony of this year's International Conference of Chinese Characters, in Anyang, emphasized the key role Chinese characters play in the development and evolution of Chinese culture, as well as the preservation of China's historical and cultural traditions.

ZHOU YIXIN, Anyang, Henan Province "Guests at the event say Chinese characters are an important link in mutual learning among cultures. Chinese characters belong to China and the world. And as a unique symbol of Chinese civilization, they play an important role in the innovative development of Chinese culture, the inheritance of Chinese civilization, and the global sharing of Chinese wisdom."

The deep cultural significance of Chinese characters is also high on the agenda. Some participants say the characters embody the continuity, innovation and inclusivity of Chinese civilization. They underlined the importance of making Chinese characters an essential element in narrating China's story, and building a shared future for mankind.

ZHANG CHAOYI, Dean, Institute for International Communication of Chinese Culture, Beijing Foreign Studies University "When we talk about Chinese culture going global, we use Chinese characters as a medium for dialogue with the world. Chinese characters are not just symbols, they also carry profound meanings. When we share China's developmental experiences and its wisdom with the world, Chinese characters play a unique and significant role."

The conference was attended by many international students who are learning Chinese in China. They shared why they find the characters so fascinating.

MENNALLAH ELRASHEDY, Egyptian Student, Beijing Language and Culture University "The reason why I like Chinese characters is because of their uniqueness and the beauty of the shapes. I believe there are various moods and thoughts behind the characters. There are also stories behind each character. For example, the word Yin and Yang represents a philosophical thought and way of thinking."

AMIN-ERDENE LKHAMSUREN, Mongolian Student, Beijing Foreign Studies University "The fascinating thing about Chinese characters is that, Chinese language is the only pictographic language that are still used, especially in daily use, so it connects history and future. That is so fascinating."

At the conference, participants discussed how emerging digital technologies, like AI and big data, could aid in the study of the Oracle Bones Inscriptions and the preservation of Chinese characters. Zhou Yixin, CGTN, Anyang, Henan Province.