LONDON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- An event marking this year's Chinese Language Day was held on Thursday in London, bringing together around 100 students from six schools across Britain to celebrate the Chinese language and culture.

Under the theme "Chinese Language: A Gift Across Time and Space," the event featured eight hands-on workshops highlighting various aspects of Chinese culture, including characters, calligraphy, poetry, martial arts, and opera facial masks. The activities also blended both traditional and modern elements, ranging from woodblock printing to VR experiences.

"Chinese is a challenging language to learn but also incredibly fun and exciting. It has also helped me understand the Chinese culture, which is quite different from the cultures I've experienced before," said Noah Eskinazi-Nehme, a student from City of London School who has been studying Chinese for almost two years and celebrates the Spring Festival every year.

He added that he hopes to visit China one day to further improve his language skills while exploring the country's diverse landscapes and seeing the pandas. He also expressed hope that his future career choice will keep him "connected to China" throughout his life.

Alongside the workshops, students also performed Chinese songs, posed for photos with a panda mascot, and received souvenirs.

Patrick Adamson, deputy headteacher of Calday Grange Grammar School, said that learning Chinese has enabled students to "engage with China not as a concept, but as a living, dynamic culture" and to "foster curiosity, empathy, and a deep respect for global perspectives."

"We are preparing a generation not just to speak Mandarin, but to speak across borders, to listen across cultures, and to lead with understanding," he noted.

"Language serves as a means for exchanging ideas and a bridge for mutual understanding," said Zhao Fei, minister of the Chinese Embassy in the UK. He described mastering Chinese as "holding a magic key that bridges the past and present," adding that it allows students to "traverse time, explore China's 5,000 years of civilization, understand its current progress, and get a view of its future."

Established by the United Nations, International Chinese Language Day is observed annually on April 20 to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity.■