The 2018 United Nations Chinese language day opens at the Palace of Nations in Geneva on April 16, 2018. [Photo/Facebook of UN Geneva]

Chinese is not only one of the oldest languages in the world, but also one of the most widely spoken today. Around one billion people are estimated to speak it as their first language.

Language Days at the UN seek to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity, promoting equal use of all six official languages throughout the organization.

The celebration will end next Thursday.