Chinese Language is so Beautiful
Third “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students is Coming Soon

Guangming Daily, Beijing, October 14th, by Yao Xiaodan—a number of foreign students performed tongue-twisters in Chongqing dialect and received rounds of applause at the Confucius Institute Headquarters on this morning. They are contestants of the 3rd “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students.

The 120 students from 35 countries across the five continents are all old China hands. They are able to speak fluent Chinese and know enough about Chinese culture. A 16-year-old Mongolian girl named Hua Zheng who was looking over a collection of Li Bai’s poems told the reporter where her name came from: “Hua Zheng is a Mongolian princess in the Chinese novel ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’. Since I am a Mongol, I chose it as my Chinese name. We also have teammates called Mu Nianci, Huangrong and Guo Jing. The Chinese language is so beautiful and we are very fond of Chinese literature.”

That morning the Confucius Institute Headquarters hosted a press conference to announce the 3rd “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students. It is reported that the contest with “Fun with Chinese, Growing with Vigor” as its theme will be held in Chongqing from October 16th to 30th. Contestants will be divided into 12 international groups named after the animals of the Chinese zodiac. They will also take time out of the studio to experience real life in Chongqing; such experiences will include visiting the supermarket and meeting local families. Mr. Hu Bin, Deputy Inspector of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission stated that the arrangements focus on testing contestants’ ability to apply language skills, this will help them gain a deeper understanding of Chinese learning and get more enjoyment from the activity.

The winners will have the chance to receive a Mayor's Scholarship for Foreign Students in China as granted by the Chongqing municipal government (including tuition fees for a bachelor’s degree in Chongqing and other expenses) and round air tickets offered by Hanban. They will also be awarded the title “Outstanding Chinese Language Envoy”.