Chinese Bridge

President of Allameh Tabataba'i University Abdollah Motamedi speaks at the final round of the "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition for Iranian college students held at Allameh Tabataba'i University in Tehran, Iran, June 10, 2024. ( tasteallchina /Shadati) TEHRAN, June 10 ( tasteallchina ) -- The final round of the "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition for Iranian college students was held in Iran's capital Tehran on Monday, with two students receiving the first and second prizes. Sixteen college students from across Iran rivaled in the final race held at Allameh Tabataba'i University (ATU) in Tehran and participated in a speech contest, followed by a talent show with options from skits, singing, and drawing to tongue twisters. The first prize went to Mahtab Montazeri Hedesh, a senior at the University of Tehran, and the second prize to Fatemeh Baratian, a sophomore at the University of Tehran. The competition was concluded in an awarding ceremony. Chinese Ambassador to Iran Cong Peiwu, ATU's president Abdollah Motamedi, and some professors and students attended the event. In his speech, Cong praised the participants of the competition for their language proficiency, talents and interest in Chinese. He said the "Chinese Bridge" contest had developed from a language contest…

LONDON, June 7 ( tasteallchina ) -- Eight university students from across the United Kingdom (UK) showcased their language skills and shared their passion for Chinese culture in a Chinese competition held in London on Thursday. During the 23rd "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition UK Regional Final for university students, each contestant tackled tasks including speech, quiz race, and talent show. "Looking back at my journey of learning Chinese, I feel very fortunate since it has enabled me to make many new friends and appreciate the depth and breadth of Chinese culture," said Chidimma Daisy Anyakora, the champion of the competition, who she has been learning Chinese only since 2019. The contestant -- a freshman from the University of Manchester, along with three other winning contestants, has earned the opportunity to compete in the global finals of the competition in China later this year. "Each of us serves as a disseminator of culture, with fervent passion in our hearts and a broad perspective in our eyes," said Francesca Pala from the University of Leeds, who won second place and the prize for the most eloquent contestant. As an Italian learning Chinese in the UK, she expressed her joy in experiencing…

A contestant performs Peking Opera during the final round of the 17th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for foreign high schools in Sydney, Australia, May 26, 2024. (Photo: Taste all China /Gu Shihong) The final round of Australian section of the 17th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for foreign high schools was held on Sunday. A contestant displays his Chinese calligraphy during the final round of the 17th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for foreign high schools in Sydney, Australia, May 26, 2024. (Photo: Taste all China /Gu Shihong) A contestant performs during the final round of the 17th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for foreign high schools in Sydney, Australia, May 26, 2024. (Photo: Taste all China /Gu Shihong) A contestant performs during the final round of the 17th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for foreign high schools in Sydney, Australia, May 26, 2024. (Photo: Taste all China /Gu Shihong) A contestant writes Chinese calligraphy during the final round of the 17th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for foreign high schools in Sydney, Australia, May 26, 2024. (Photo: Taste all China /Gu Shihong) A contestant gives a speech during the final round of the 17th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency…

VELIKO TURNOVO, Bulgaria, April 27 ( tasteallchina ) -- The Bulgarian leg of the 17th "Chinese Bridge" -- Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students, was held here Saturday. Seventeen-year-old Raya Popova from the Vasil Levski secondary school in Ruse emerged as the champion and she will proceed to the final round in China. There are 12 contestants from five secondary schools demonstrated their language skills at the competition, which was co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, the Confucius Institute at the University of Veliko Turnovo and the Confucius Institute in Sofia. Popova told tasteallchina that she has been studying Chinese for almost three years and it was her third time partaking in the "Chinese Bridge" contest. "I have never been to China and I dreamed of going there," she said excitedly. Wang Min, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria said that the "Chinese Bridge" competition was an influential international event. Likening it to an "Olympics" for Chinese language learners around the world, she said, hundreds of millions of people worldwide tuned in to watch the competition each year. It also functions as an important platform to promote exchanges and cooperation among Chinese language learners from…

JERUSALEM, June 2 ( tasteallchina ) -- The 23rd "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition for Israeli university students concluded on Sunday in the country's economic center Tel Aviv. The competition, featuring Chinese speeches, Chinese knowledge quizzes, and talent shows, drew together students from three Israeli universities. In addition to delivering speeches themed "One World, One Family," the contestants expressed their proficiency in the Chinese language and interest in Chinese culture by demonstrating their talents in ancient Chinese poetry recitation, guitar playing of Chinese pop songs, and Chinese style of stand-up comedy. Tali Kogan, a student from Tel Aviv University, won the contest and will represent Israeli university students to compete in the annual international Chinese language contest to be held in China. "I believe everyone knows that language is a bridge to connect the world, and I hope that we can communicate better with Chinese people and understand each other," said Kogan in her speech. "Though my connection with the Chinese began as a child, I have never been to China. If I have the opportunity to visit China and experience the enthusiasm and hospitality of the Chinese people there, I believe I will once again feel the warmth of…

WELLINGTON, May 18 ( tasteallchina ) -- University and secondary school students from the southern region of New Zealand's North Island competed for Chinese proficiency in the annual "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition held on Saturday. Around 100 local Chinese learners watched the competition among 18 contestants, learning Chinese as their foreign language, vying for spots for the global finals to be held later in China. The competition consisted of theme speech, talent show and improvisation quiz. The contestants talked about their relationship with the Chinese language, demonstrating their language proficiency and knowledge of Chinese culture. During the talent show, contestants performed Chinese stand-up comedy, recitation of ancient poems, Chinese folk dance, musical instruments, among others. Rodda Lachlan from Rotorua won the high school category, and Phoebe Davey from the Victoria University of Wellington won the university category. Both of them grabbed the opportunity to the global finals in China. At the prize-giving ceremony, Tang Yun, education counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, encouraged the students to continue to explore the beauty of the Chinese language, gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese culture and build a bridge of friendship between China and New Zealand. Students should cultivate…

A student shows Kung Fu skills during the "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition in Kampala, Uganda, June 2, 2024. The Ugandan finals of "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition concluded on Sunday at Kyambogo College School in Kampala. During the final round, 12 students competed in the college and secondary school categories, demonstrating their Chinese language skills and understanding of Chinese culture through speeches, quizzes, and cultural performances. (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/ tasteallchina ) KAMPALA, June 3 ( tasteallchina ) -- A Ugandan education official has encouraged the country's students to pursue Chinese language studies. "All our students should learn Chinese because most of the jobs or opportunities come when you know at least two foreign languages," said Hilda Ayebare, assistant curriculum specialist for foreign languages at the Uganda National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC). "We have already rolled out teaching of Chinese language in our curriculum," she said Sunday at the Ugandan finals of a Chinese proficiency competition at Kyambogo College School, in the capital, Kampala. Ayebare said that Chinese language has been taught in both lower and upper secondary schools across Uganda since 2020. The "Chinese Bridge" contest, inaugurated 23 years ago, has become a platform for exchange among Chinese…

Romanian student Ioana Mihai, the winner of the grand prize of Romania Finals of the 23rd "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for non-Chinese college students, demonstrates her talent in Bucharest, Romania, May 26, 2024. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/ tasteallchina ) BUCHAREST, May 27 ( tasteallchina ) -- The "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition, an annual competition for non-Chinese college students, was held at the University of Bucharest here on Sunday. Eighteen contestants from Romanian universities competed under the theme "One World, One Family," showcasing their love and understanding of the Chinese language and culture through speeches, Q&A and talent shows. Ioana Mihai, a 22-year-old sophomore majoring in Chinese at the university, won the grand prize with her insights into building a "community of shared future for mankind," and the use of traditional Chinese cultural elements in her spirited presentation. Chinese Ambassador to Romania Han Chunlin noted that the event coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of a comprehensive friendly and cooperative partnership between China and Romania. Sorin Costreie, president of UNICA, a network of universities from the capitals of Europe, emphasized the importance of cultural exchange and language learning and expressed hope for future…

A contestant shows her talent during the 23rd Chinese Bridge-Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students' Italy-San Marino competition in the city of Macerata, Italy, May 24, 2024. A Chinese language competition was held in Italy this week in the city of Macerata, with students from eight colleges across the country showcasing their written and oral skills over two days of activities. ( tasteallchina /Ren Yaoting) MACERATA, Italy, May 24 ( tasteallchina ) -- A Chinese language competition was held in Italy this week in the city of Macerata, with students from eight colleges across the country showcasing their written and oral skills over two days of activities. The 23rd Chinese Bridge-Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students' Italy-San Marino competition gave students the opportunity to showcase their language skills in a written test and a live contest. The on-site competition consisted of a speech, talent show, and question-and-answer session. In the speech session with the theme of One World One Family, students expressed their views on Sino-Italian friendship and the commonwealth of the world. "The world today is a global village," said Eduardo Accorroni from the University of Macerata, adding that the Global Community of Shared Future proposed by…

BERLIN, June 9 ( tasteallchina ) -- The 17th "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition for middle school students and the 4th "Chinese Bridge" show for primary school students in Germany were held Saturday in the city of Hamburg. Nearly 100 experts and scholars, Chinese teachers, students learning Chinese, and enthusiasts of Chinese culture attended the event. The competition for secondary school students consists of three parts -- a keynote speech, a Chinese knowledge question and answer segment, and a talent display. Contestants shared their love for China through personal stories, reflected on the benefits and insights gained from learning Chinese, and explored the theme "Dream Chinese, Live Up to Your Youth." Their performances included singing, ink painting, Chinese dance, instrumental music, and other artistic displays. The Chinese show for primary school students featured self-introductions and talent performances. "Chinese Bridge" is a platform for Chinese learners worldwide to showcase their proficiency, exchange learning experiences, and test their skills, which has become a prominent symbol of Chinese culture since its inception in 2002, said Guo Jinqiu, counsellor from the Chinese Embassy in Berlin. Corinna Nienstedt, head of the state office of Hamburg, said that China and Germany need to deepen their mutual…

A player performs face-changing, part of the Sichuan Opera, during a Chinese class held at the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago, the United States, May 21, 2024. (Photo by Wang Li/ tasteallchina ) Consul General Zhao Jian sent his holiday greetings to the children, expressing hope that Chinese and American youth can build a friendship bridge through the "Chinese Bridge." CHICAGO, June 2 ( tasteallchina ) -- It must be a special Children's Day for the 20 students from eight elementary and middle schools in the U.S. Midwest, whose Chinese language skill and talent showcased at the Chinese Bridge competition amazed both their parents and native speakers. On Wednesday, the students gathered at the Chinese Consulate-General in Chicago and took turns to step onto the stage for the speech contest, introducing themselves, telling traditional Chinese stories, sharing interesting experiences from learning the language, reciting ancient Chinese poetry, and expressing their love for Chinese Kung Fu, calligraphy and music, all in Chinese. Luke King-Schultz from Scenic Heights Elementary said that learning Chinese would enable him to communicate with more people and have more working opportunities, given that Chinese is the No. 1 speaking language in terms of the number of native…