ZHENGZHOU -- An international conference on Chinese characters opened Tuesday in Anyang, Henan province, known as the birthplace of Chinese characters.

More than 100 experts from 25 countries and regions gathered at the conference to talk about the history, spread and culture behind Chinese characters.

"Thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese people are interacting more with people from around the world, and foreigners are increasingly interested in Chinese characters," said Hu Sishe, deputy head of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

The conference will conclude on Thursday.