Liu Cixin delivers keynote speech vie video link at the “Sustainable Future Through a Sci-Fi Lens” Symposium organized by UN headquarter

On April 20th, the 14th UN Chinese Language Day was held at UN Headquarter. The renowned Chinese science fiction author, Vice Chairman of the Shanxi Provincial Writers Association, Liu Cixin, gave a keynote speech vie video link at the " Sustainable Future Through a Sci-Fi Lens " symposium. Liu communicated with the live audience and online viewers, jointly celebrating the 2023 UN Chinese Language Day.
　　
The event was co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations, Chinese Translation Service (DGACM), the UNSRC Chinese Book Club, and was co-sponsored by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Shanxi Province and the Writers Association of Shanxi Province. Diplomats, UN officials and youth representatives were gathered at the UN Headquarters for the event.

During his keynote speech, Liu shared his thoughts and insights on the sustainable future of human society from the perspective of science fiction, engaging with the audience and answering questions from various fields through online interactions.
　
In 2010, the United Nations launched the initiative of Language Days, setting up six language celebration days for English, French, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese. The initiative aims to emphasize the importance of cultural diversity and promote the equal use of these six official languages. China has designated April 20th as Chinese Language Day, which corresponds with the traditional solar term "Grain Rain", to commemorate the contribution of Cangjie, the mythical inventor of Chinese characters.
　
As a province rich in culture and history, Shanxi Province has made remarkable achievements in green and sustainable development in recent years. To align with the theme of the United Nations Sustainable Development Year in 2023 and showcase the charm of Shanxi and tell Shanxi chapiter of the Chinese story, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Shanxi Province and the Writers Association of Shanxi Province recommended Liu Cixin, a well-known science fiction writer from Shanxi, to deliver a speech on this year's Chinese Language Day.

"Chinese Wisdom for a Green World" is the theme of the 2023 United Nations Chinese Language Day. In addition to this online symposium, the Chinese Language Day activities include an opening ceremony, a lecture and exhibition on calligraphy as well as a Chinese painting exhibition.