On April 20, 2026, coinciding with the 17th UN Chinese Language Day and the 7th International Chinese Language Day, the 2026 International Chinese Language Day and Silk Road Youth Exchange Event, guided by the Secretariat of the China-Central Asia Mechanism, the Center For Language Education and Cooperation, and the Chinese International Education Foundation, hosted by the Education Department of Shaanxi Provincial Government, and organized by Xi'an International Studies University, was held at the Chang'an Campus of the university. The event brought together scholars, educators and young Chinese and overseas students from more than 30 universities.

The event builds a practical communication platform for multilingual talents. Going forward, the university will turn event outcomes into a long-term mechanism to further deepen youth exchanges and educational cooperation between China and Central Asian countries.

A smart teaching platform for international Chinese language education was officially launched during the event, marking a new digital stage of international Chinese language education in Shaanxi. Following the opening ceremony, a Sino-foreign cultural arts festival and international food festival were held, showcasing artistic performances and characteristic delicacies.

The arts festival showcased diverse highlights, with 15 outstanding performances staged one after another.

The international food festival drew huge crowds, with more than 140 international students from 31 nations, including Russia, France, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Argentina, presenting and showcasing signature dishes from their home countries.

Multiple parallel exchange sessions were held in the afternoon, focusing on academic research, coordinated development and youth sharing to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation among Silk Road youth. Centering on cultural heritage-driven international Chinese language education, scholars discussed intangible cultural heritage inheritance, heritage-based curriculum development, talent cultivation and the integrated development of cultural heritage and Chinese language education.

The Silk Road Youth Roundtable on Chinese Learning & Cultural Experience served as a key youth exchange platform. Twenty-five international students from 23 Shaanxi universities shared their Chinese-learning stories, insights into Chinese culture, cross-cultural adaptation, the role of intangible heritage experiences in language learning and cross-border cultural bonds based on their study life in Shaanxi.

The event fostered an engaging dialogue among participants. International students noted that their language abilities had grown significantly through Chinese studies and cultural engagement. They vowed to serve as cultural ambassadors, share their experiences in China internationally, and spark greater interest in the Chinese language and culture among young people worldwide.