Zach Danz, a UN staff member, reads an excerpt from the Book of Changes during an event marking the 16th UN Chinese Language Day at the UN headquarters in New York, on April 15, 2025."Regardless of what's happening in the higher levels of international trade or politics, people see the people-to-people connections and the importance of learning the language," said a principal of a Chinese language school in California.SACRAMENTO, United States, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Eric Peterson, principal of West County Mandarin School in Pinole, California, has just returned from leading nearly 50 students and teachers on a cultural tour around Beijing, and he's already planning another for this summer."The Chinese students and families treated our students so well, and even now they're all communicating on WeChat with each other," Peterson told Xinhua.During their visit last month, the American students stayed with host families in Beijing, toured historical sites, and even sang American and Chinese pop songs alongside their Chinese peers -- a moment Peterson called "really beautiful to see."Peterson made the remarks during a recent interview that coincided with Chinese Language Day, an annual observance established by the United Nations in 2010 and held on April 20 each year. Chinese Language Day honors the Chinese language and its rich cultural heritage, celebrates multilingualism and cultural diversity, and promotes equal use of all six official UN languages.Peterson witnessed firsthand the growing enthusiasm for Chinese language education in his school district, evidenced by the long waiting list for enrollment at his school.Founded in 2017, West County Mandarin School serves kindergarten through sixth grade and plans to extend one grade per year until it reaches eighth grade. The school's humble beginnings involved Peterson personally recruiting families by approaching parents with children at local shopping centers.From those grassroots efforts, enrollment has climbed to 530 students this year, with roughly 585 expected next fall -- a testament, he said, "to the great appreciation of Chinese language."A representative from the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations reads the poem "A Spring Morning" during an event marking the 16th UN Chinese Language Day at the UN headquarters in New York, on April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui)What makes West County Mandarin School particularly notable is its diverse student body. "At our school, the majority of the students are not of Chinese heritage," he explained. "We have students from all different racial and ethnic backgrounds."Also, the school, according to the principal, deliberately sets aside half of its seats for low-income students, ensuring accessibility across socioeconomic backgrounds.Parents' interest in Chinese language education stems from recognizing its future value for their children, regardless of their cultural background, said Peterson. As word spread about students enjoying Chinese language and culture while excelling academically, the waiting list grew substantially.To provide students with authentic cultural experiences, Peterson began organizing trips to China in 2018. The school worked to keep costs manageable, making these educational journeys accessible to more students.This July, he aims to bring about 100 students on a 21-day trip that will earn them both high-school and community-college credits. He emphasized that, beyond academic gains, these journeys open students' eyes to modern China's rapid development and warm hospitality -- far beyond what they encounter in media reports."It was really good for American students to see how other students in other countries learn and value education," he added.Peterson believed that California's historical connection to Chinese culture had created deep-rooted appreciation for Chinese language and heritage throughout the region. California's connection to Chinese culture began during the mid-19th century Gold Rush, when thousands of Chinese immigrants arrived seeking economic opportunities. Chinese communities have since contributed significantly to the state's development.This historical foundation supports continued interest in Chinese language education in California, even amid contemporary trade tensions. As Peterson noted, "in our school district, Chinese language is something that people value and understand the importance of learning.""Regardless of what's happening in the higher levels of international trade or politics, people see the people-to-people connections and the importance of learning the language," he said.