On 28 April 2026, the International Chinese Language Day event in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq was held at Soran University. Deputy Consul General Mr. Zhang Jianxin, Mr. Halgurd Sheikh Najeeb, Head of the Soran Independent Administration, Dr. Sherwan Sharif Qurtas, President of Soran University, and Assist. Prof. Dr. Saman Hussain, Dean of the College of Languages at Salahaddin University, together with more than 200 representatives from various sectors and faculty members and students from the two universities, attended the event.

In his remarks, Mr. Zhang noted that this year’s theme of International Chinese Language Day is “Chinese: Sparking Colorful Dreams.” He expressed the hope that young people in the KRI will, through learning Chinese, gain a more direct understanding of a real, multi-dimensional, and rapidly developing China, grasp opportunities through exchanges and mutual learning, and realize their dreams.

During the event, student representatives shared their study experiences in China. A series of performances, including poetry recitations, fan dances, and face-changing, brought the atmosphere to one highlight after another and won warm applause. A Chinese cultural experience area was also set up at the venue, and the event received on-site coverage from several mainstream media outlets in the KRI.

On the sidelines of the event, Mr. Zhang also met respectively with the Head of the Soran Independent Administration, the President of Soran University and the Director of Bazan Institute, exchanged views on strengthening exchanges and cooperation.