Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

As the year draws to a close, the tradition of selecting a "Character of the Year" has taken root in several Asian countries deeply influenced by Chinese culture, reflecting the mood of society and shining a spotlight on key issues shaping the year.

The selection of the Character of the Year not only highlights the profound influence of Chinese characters within the Asian cultural sphere but also reflects people's keen awareness of social, economic and cultural trends, Zhang Peng, an associate professor at Nanjing Normal University, told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

The New Straits Times reported on Monday that the Chinese character "sheng" 升has been selected as Malaysia's Chinese Character of the Year for 2024. The character, which can be translated as "increase" or "rise," was chosen through public voting from the top 10 candidates selected in the initial round.

The Malaysian Character of the Year selection, first held in 2011, is organized by the Han Cultural Center Malaysia. Goh Hin San, chairman of the center, explained that around 80 percent of people who voted chose 升 due to perceptions of economic recovery, the rising value of the Malaysian ringgit, or further enhanced Malaysia-China relations. 

Around 20 percent associated it with rising prices, according to Chinanews.com.

"The annual selection of Character of the Year by various Asian countries demonstrates the far-reaching influence of Chinese characters, an ancient writing system. As a treasure of Chinese culture, Chinese characters have been passed down for thousands of years and have transcended ethnic boundaries to become a vital cultural link across Asia," Hui Dongpo, a professor at the College of Applied Arts and Science of Beijing Union University, told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

Goh noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic ties, and several of the top 10 candidates, such as "mian" 免 (exempt) and "liu" 榴 (durian), relate to advancements in Malaysia-China ties, such as mutual visa exemptions and China's approval of fresh Malaysian durian imports. 

As for Japan, the country has held its "Character of the Year" selection since 1995. The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation,  which is the organizer of the event,  announced "jin" 金(gold) in Japanese - as the character of 2024 on Thursday.  

According to the Xinhua News Agency, the character received over 12,000 votes out of 220,000 submissions. Notably, this marks the fifth time "jin" has been chosen, with its last selection in 2021.

The reasons for selecting "jin" this year include lively discussions about "gold" and "money," such as Japanese athletes winning multiple gold medals at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, and rising prices, said the Xinhua report. 

In Singapore, Lianhe Zaobao, the country's major Singaporean Chinese-language newspaper, has invited readers to participate in its annual selection for "Character of the Year." This year's result will be revealed on Friday.  

"A single Chinese character is easy to recognize and remember. The interpretation of a single character can also integrate cross-cultural and multidimensional knowledge, allowing for imaginative and concise summaries, Zhang said.

Goh Sin Teck, chief editor of Lianhe Zaobao, noted that when summarizing the year with a single character, they aim to choose one that is more comprehensive or carries broader meanings and associations. "How will readers respond to this change? We are genuinely curious and eagerly anticipate seeing what readers will ultimately select," said the chief editor. 

From Malaysia to Japan and Singapore, while such linguistic traditions provide a window into the region, the chosen characters of 2024 tell respective stories in these countries. In their simplicity, these single characters encapsulate entire years of complex events. 

The shared tradition of choosing a "Character of the Year" also highlights a deeper cultural connection, a linguistic and philosophical heritage rooted in the ancient Chinese script. 

Even as each society evolves and modernizes, the power of a single character remains strong and meaningful.

"Under the influence of Confucianism, Chinese characters not only carry rich historical and cultural significance but have also become a shared spiritual asset for people across Asia. The tradition of the selecting Character of the Year allows more people to appreciate the charm of Chinese culture. It also inspires deeper exploration of the profound ideas, history, and philosophy behind the characters, playing a positive role in cultural exchange and connecting the hearts of people across Asia," said Hui.  

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn