On January 25, 2021, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) announced that Chinese had become an official language of the organization. The UNWTO recognizes five other official languages: English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian.
The UNWTO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes economic growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability in tourism across the world. Formed in 1975, the organization is a global forum for discussion and debate on tourism policies and relevant issues. It has also put forth the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, which aims to fostersocio-economic development through tourism. The code is also designed to help minimize 10 harm caused by tourism, particularly negative impacts on the environment and developing countries.
China has been a part of the organization since 1983 and initiated the adoption of Chinese as an official language in 2007. After the measure was proposed, the general assembly accepted the proposal and passed an amendment to the UNWTO’s constitution. In order to turn the amendment to policy, two-thirds of the 159 member states were required to approve the change. The required majority was eventually achieved in January 2021, at which point the amendment formally went into effect . Now that Chinese is an official language, all UNWTO documentation will be published in the language. The organization will also begin offering translation and interpretation services at all official UNWTO meetings and events.
To announce the news, the UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili filmed a video message during which he wrote the Chinese character for blessing and offered Chinese New Year greetings ahead of the holiday.
1. What is mentioned as a negative aspect of tourism?
(A) Economic losses.
(B) Harm to nature.
(C) Overcrowding of cities.
(D) Differences between cultures.
2. How long did the process take for Chinese to become an official UNWTO language?
(A) 7 years.
(B) 38 years.
(C) 14 years.
(D) 21 years.
3. What was NOT part of Pololikashvili’s video message?
