On December 12, 2024, the global launch event of the “Chinese Visual Key Input Method” and the China-UAE Cultural Creativity Cooperation Forum took place successfully at the CCPIT(UAE) Cultural and Creative Exhibition in Dubai. Director of the Cultural China International Cultural Exchange Center, chaired the launch event, which focused on the theme of “Bringing Chinese to the World, Helping the World Understand China.” Over 60 participants, including education experts, cultural scholars, and representatives from schools and enterprises from China and the UAE, attended the event.
Dr. John Chu is introducing technology
Dr. John Chu, inventor and founder of the “Chinese Visual Key Input Method,” introduced the groundbreaking technology during the event. The system uses an innovative framework coordinate algorithm to transform Chinese characters into color and position modules, combined with AI, to achieve a seamless transition from “recognizing shapes” to “inputting text.” This enables beginners to master Chinese typing within three minutes through an intuitive and straightforward process. Beyond its technical prowess, the method serves as a cultural mission, revitalizing the charm of Chinese characters and making Chinese culture more accessible.
Professor Zhang Xiping, Distinguished Professor at Beijing Language and Culture University and a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, highlighted that traditional Chinese teaching methods, which emphasize pinyin, grammar, and memorization, are often time-consuming and less effective for many learners. The Chinese Visual Key Input Method integrates technology with education to offer a systematic solution, marking a revolutionary step in Chinese character teaching. Zhang described it as the most significant advancement in Chinese character research since the ancient text Shuowen Jiezi, surpassing the phonetic teaching methods introduced by missionaries over 400 years ago.
Dr. Tariq Alqahtani, President of Al Haraka Al Awla Company in Saudi Arabia, praised the technology for transforming language learning, especially for Chinese. He noted that the method offers new opportunities for students and professionals in Saudi Arabia and worldwide, making Chinese learning faster, easier, and more engaging.
Professor Pan Wenguo of East China Normal University, Editor-in-Chief of Global Chinese Development Research, lauded the Chinese Visual Key Input Method as a groundbreaking contribution to global Chinese education. By lowering the barriers to Chinese character input, it significantly promotes the global dissemination of the language. Developed over 16 years by Dr. Chu’s team, the method combines visual perception, tactile principles, and framework coordinate algorithms to reconstruct Chinese characters, overcoming the limitations of pinyin and Wubi input methods. Supporting over 80,000 characters in simplified, traditional, and variant forms, it embodies the principle of “what you see is what you get.”
Professor Bai Zhimin from Université de La Rochelle in France commended the modular approach of the system, which simplifies complex Chinese characters into visual elements. This not only reduces learning difficulty but also boosts classroom efficiency, helping learners overcome the fear of Chinese characters and fostering confidence in their studies.
Dr. Yu Zhong, an expert at Tsinghua University’s Institute for International AI Governance, described the “Chinese Visual Key Input Method” as a transformative AI innovation. Dubbed the “Key to Chinese,” it redefines language processing through modularization and intuitive input, marking a milestone in the fusion of AI and linguistics. With applications spanning education, business, and cultural exchange, the method bridges cultural divides and underscores the global significance of the Chinese language.
2024 International Chinese Communication Forum
The subsequent forum featured high praise from international organizations and enterprises, including the UAE China-Arab Business Association, for the technological breakthrough and its role in Sino-Arab cultural exchanges. The intuitive nature of the input method lowers learning barriers, fostering global Chinese language development.
Strategic Collaboration Signing
The event also included the signing ceremony for the “Key to Chinese” strategic partnership. Dr. John Chu and Dr. Tariq Alqahtani formalized their collaboration, while other dignitaries—including Prof. Zhang Xiping, Zhang Li, Zeng Ping, and Lv Xiaoguang—jointly launched the China-UAE Chinese Cultural Communication Centre. This initiative aims to deepen educational and cultural cooperation between China and the UAE.
Driving China-UAE Chinese Cultural Communication Centre
Currently, Chinese has been incorporated into the national education systems of 85 countries, with over 200 million learners and users worldwide. In the UAE alone, 171 schools offer Chinese courses to 71,000 students. The launch of the Chinese Visual Key Input Method injects fresh vitality into China-UAE cultural exchanges and contributes to the advancement of global language education and cultural diversity.
