CICG attends 109th World Esperanto Congress

China International Communications Group (CICG) is attending the 109th World Esperanto Congress held in Arusha, Tanzania, from Aug. 4 to 10. With the theme "Language, People, and Environment for a Better World," the congress has attracted 845 participants from 66 countries. 

The Chinese Esperanto delegation led by Yu Tao (4th L), vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG) and a member of the committee of the Universal Esperanto Association, meets with Duncan Charters (C), president of the Universal Esperanto Association, in Arusha, Tanzania. [Photo/CICG] 

At the opening ceremony on Sunday, Yu Tao, vice president of CICG and a member of the committee of the Universal Esperanto Association, presented a painting of the Silk Road to Dunstan Kitandula, deputy minister of natural resources and tourism of Tanzania.

Yu Tao (2nd L), vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG) and a member of the committee of the Universal Esperanto Association, presents a painting of the Silk Road to Dunstan Kitandula (1st R), deputy minister of natural resources and tourism of Tanzania, at the opening ceremony of the 109th World Esperanto Congress on Aug. 4, 2024. [Photo/CICG] 

Yu said that the ancient Silk Road symbolizes friendship and peace, and Esperanto is a language for peace and friendship. The joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative has injected vitality for friendship among various ethnic groups, economic and cultural exchanges, and peaceful development and win-win cooperation worldwide, he said.

A China Day thematic event, including a photo exhibition titled "Beautiful China, Beautiful Tanzania," was held on Sunday afternoon. The thematic event showcased China's cultural, economic, and social development in Esperanto, while the photo exhibition presented 50 photographs depicting China-Tanzania cooperation in trade, economy, and people-to-people exchanges. 

Yu said Tanzania's hosting of the World Esperanto Congress marks the first time for the congress to take place on the African continent, and the event coincides with the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and Tanzania. 

Yu Tao, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), delivers a speech at the China Day event of the 109th World Esperanto Congress held in Arusha, Tanzania, on Aug. 4, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

He said that Esperanto's principles of equal communication align with the values of inclusiveness and diversity embraced by Chinese civilization. Yu expressed gratitude for the congress for building a platform for exchange, and said he hopes it would help more people learn about China. 

Duncan Charters, president of the Universal Esperanto Association, said that the exhibition offers participants a chance to learn about China-Tanzania friendship and cooperation, serving as a window for their cultural exchanges. He said he hopes that Esperanto speakers from the two countries would deepen communication and cooperation through the congress. 

The World Esperanto Congress, the longest and the largest international Esperanto event, has been held annually since 1905, except for interruptions during the two world wars.