Investigation on the Use of Chinese Language by International Organizations in China Based on Official Website Information

This study classifies and compares 34 international organizations based in China, by taking their official websites as the research targets and medium of investigation. It is found that the practical value of the Chinese language in use is not fully reflected in the international organizations initiated and promoted by external multinational representatives. There are some differences in the use of the Chinese language among these organizations in different fields and at different times of their establishment, reflecting the underlying factors such as the scope of the international organizations’ audiences, the geographical characteristics and the national comprehensive strength represented by the Chinese language. By outlining the “portraits of international organizations that are most likely to use Chinese”, this study concludes that the use of Chinese in international organizations in China is still limited, but there is also plenty of space for development. In order to improve the use and presence of Chinese in international organizations in China, this study suggests: accelerating the construction of a high-quality mechanism for cultivating and transferring talents for international organizations; actively leading and participating in the creation of new international organizations and attracting more influential international organizations to move in; promoting relevant research and forming a mechanism for investigating the use of Chinese in the official websites of international organizations, to promote the user experience and expand the scope of the audience in the Chinese version of the websites.