Foreigners compete to study in China
Students from Yunnan Normal University perform at a ceremony to launch the “Chinese Bridge” competition in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, on Tuesday.
Foreigners began competing in the “Chinese Bridge” language proficiency competition for secondary students in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, on Tuesday.
After qualifying rounds worldwide between March and August, the final rounds in China have attracted 320 teachers and students from 96 countries, said Zheng Yi, deputy head of Yunnan’s education department.
Over the next few days, group and individual participants will compete in quarter-finals, including competitions in spoken Chinese, Chinese culture and art performance, before entering the final round.
Winners will be given scholarships to study in China.
“I discovered the charm of Chinese characters when I was a kid. I will try my best to learn Chinese and become a doctor to combine traditional Chinese medicine with Western medicine in the future,” said Lindsay Berat, a student from the United States.
Since 2002, the Beijing-based Confucius Institute Headquarters has organized a series of such competitions.
An increasing number of foreigners are learning Chinese. A total of 516 Confucius Institutes and 1,076 Confucius Classrooms have been established in 142 countries and regions, introducing Chinese language and culture all over the world.
