On May 27th, 2025, The Chinese Embassy in Oman and the Omani Ministry of Education Co-host the 2025 International Chinese Language Day Event in Muscat. H.E. Ambassador Lyu Jian attended and delivered an opening address. Guest of honor H.E. Majid bin Saeed Al Bahri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, Maryam Al-Riyami, Advisor to the Minister of Education for International Educational Relations, Yaqoob bin Khalfan Al Nadabi, Director General of the Directorate General of Scouts and Girl Guides, among with teachers, students and parents from the four high schools that will launch Chinese courses, as well as representatives of Chinese communities and enterprises in Oman attended the event, with total number of about 200 attendees.
In his speech, H.E. Ambassador Lyu noted that Chinese characters embody the unique spiritual values, modes of thought, and cultural essence of the Chinese people. Learning Chinese is “the gold key” to understand China and its culture. H.E. Lyu recalled President Xi Jinping’s 2023 “Global Civilization Initiative,” which advocates strengthening international cultural exchanges, and said that promoting Chinese-language education overseas is one of the Initiative’s core measures. Lyu emphasized that expanding Chinese-language education in Oman is of special significance for carrying forward the two countries’ millennia-old friendship and for yielding new fruits in China–Oman cooperation in the new era.
H.E. Ambassador Lyu stressed that the Chinese Government gives strong support to promote and popularize overseas Chinese-language education. In recent years, China and Oman have actively implemented the outcomes of the first China–Arab States Summit and have vigorously advanced cooperation in language and culture, achieving a series of breakthroughs. In September, four Omani public secondary schools will offer Chinese as an elective courses; meanwhile, dozens of Omani students will travel to China to participate in the “Chinese Bridge” summer camp. Looking ahead, H.E. Ambassador Lyu said, China–Oman cooperation holds broad prospects and immense potential. Mastering Chinese, Lyu added, opens up more employment opportunities, a richer life, and a wider future. H.E. Lyu expressed the hope that more Omani friends will join the ranks of Chinese learners and that together the two peoples will write a new chapter in China–Oman cooperation.
Representing the Ministry of Education, Dr. Sinai bint Salem Al-Sinani, Assistant Director General of the General Directorate of Curriculum Development, delivered a speech in which she noted that the historical ties between Oman and China have laid a solid foundation for their partnership, and that bilateral relations continue to develop on the principles of mutual respect and win-win cooperation. She noted that offering Chinese courses in Omani schools will promote trade and cultural exchange, stimulate tourism, and help realize Oman’s economic diversification goals. This, she said, aligns closely with the Oman Vision 2040 and has won enthusiastic support across Omani society. Promoting Chinese-language education, she added, is a key measure for building a more diverse, inclusive, and prosperous Oman and for ensuring that the country seizes future opportunities.
During the event there was also a panel discussion on “Learning Chinese: Preparing for the Future,” an awards ceremony for the “China in the Eyes of Omanis” creative contest, and the launch of the “Chinese-Style Modernization in the Eyes of Omanis” initiative. Guests toured a China–Oman friendship photo exhibition and eagerly took part in interactive cultural activities—such as Chinese-character puzzles and knowledge quizzes—experienced Chinese tea ceremony and calligraphy demonstrations, sampled Chinese cuisine, and posed for photos in traditional Hanfu dress. Attendees lingered long after the formal program ended. The success of this celebration has injected fresh momentum into the development of Chinese-language education in Oman and the enhancement of China–Oman people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
