The Confucius Institute at Kogakuin University Holds a Preliminary Competition for the 3rd "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students & the 2nd Chinese Book Exhibition

Tokyo, July 11 - the 3rd "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students was held in Kogakuin University. The competition was sponsored by Hanban, the Education Department of the Chinese Embassy in Japan and organized by the Confucius Institute at Kogakuin University and the Confucius Institute at J. F. Oberlin University.

The number of candidates reached an unprecedented level. 20 middle school students from 14 senior high schools in Hokkaido, Iwate, Aomori, Saitama, Kanagawa and Tokyo vividly described their feelings towards and experiences of Chinese learning, and expressed their enthusiasm for Chinese through speeches on the topics of: My Romance with Chinese Language, The Boundless Joy of Learning Chinese, Chinese Brings Me into a New World, My Personal Observations of China, amongst others all in fluent Chinese. The judges explained that the extremely high standard of all the candidates in this year's competition has made it very fierce. The competition saw its climax with the talent show unfolding: dances with silk, fans, diabolo, Chinese papercutting, calligraphy, Chinese painting, ancient Chinese poetry-reading, pop songs, etc..

After heated competition over 3 competition segments, candidate Qu Yao from the Middle School Affiliated with the International Christian University, candidate SUETOMI Shuhei from Kanto International Middle School and candidate Ota from the of Saitama Comprehensive High School won first prizes. The three winners will attend the semi-finals and final competition in China's Chongqing municipality in October.

Sun Jianming, Minister-Counselor of the Education Department of the Chinese Embassy in Japan viewed the competition and presented prizes to the first prize winners. In his closing speech Saionji Kazuteru, Japanese Director of the Confucius Institute at Kogakuin University eagerly expressed his hopes to the youthfully spirited candidates, wishing for them to learn more about Chinese politics, economy, history and culture through learning Chinese and to contribute to the friendship of the two countries. During the reception party after the competition, Yang Guangjun, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute made an impassioned toast. Guests communicated with each other in a warm atmosphere.

The 2nd Chinese Book Exhibition was held on the same day as the competition and showcased over 800 Chinese books and video products of ancient literary classics, Chinese culture, places of interest, traditional Chinese medical knowledge, and children's reading materials. The exhibition has attracted local teenagers and their parents, as well as teachers and students from local Chinese schools.

(Contributed by the Confucius Institute at Kogakuin University)