"Mama, will you bring me back a star?" It's a simple question from a little girl to her mother, Chinese astronaut Wang Yaping. But for former Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, it captures something universal about human connection.

At the 2026 World Chinese Language Conference, CGTN's Merna Al Nasser spoke with Kenny about the role of language in fostering cross-cultural understanding and friendship between nations. He shared the touching story of Wang Yaping and her daughter, reflecting on how language can help bring people and cultures closer together.

"Language is the soul of a country," Kenny said. He also discussed the development of Chinese language education in Ireland and encouraged young people around the world to learn Chinese, visit China and experience its language and culture firsthand.