Latest news with #ConfuciusInstitute
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Zimbabwean students showcase language skills at Chinese proficiency contest
HARARE, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese language learners in Zimbabwe on Friday showcased their language skills during the 24th "Chinese Bridge" competition organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, the country's capital. Drawing participants from primary schools, high schools, and colleges, the competition consisted of a speech in Chinese and a talent show. Kudakwashe Makoni, a student of political science and diplomacy at the University of Zimbabwe, stood out with his grasp of the Chinese language and knowledge of Chinese culture. He told Xinhua that the Chinese language serves not only as a practical skill to learn in a globalized world, but also as a bridge between the two countries. "Learning Chinese provides huge opportunities for Zimbabweans. You can get scholarships to study in China, and also, with the rapidly growing Chinese economy, there is an opportunity for trade, so we can leverage the opportunity to create an amicable relationship between Zimbabwe and China," he said. Thandeka Risinamhodzi, a high school student from Harare, was elated to be crowned the champion in the high school students' segment. "Chinese is a very exciting language that you can learn. Learning Chinese benefits in many ways, like in Zimbabwe, most things involve the Chinese, like job opportunities," she said. Makoni and Risinamhodzi will represent Zimbabwe at the international finals of the "Chinese Bridge" competition in China later this year. In his address to the contest, Attwell Mamvuto, pro-vice-chancellor for academic affairs and administration at the University of Zimbabwe, said the competition not only celebrates linguistic excellence, but also marks the enduring friendship and cooperation between the two countries. "Learning a new language opens doors to new opportunities, fosters understanding, and builds bridges between people from different backgrounds. The Chinese language, with its rich history and vast number of speakers, is a particularly valuable asset. It also augurs well with the University of Zimbabwe's strategic thrust on the internationalization agenda as well as academic and cultural exchanges," he said. Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding said the growing number of Zimbabweans learning Chinese demonstrates the language's global prominence and the importance and vitality of the enduring partnership between China and Zimbabwe. "This year, as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of China-Zimbabwe diplomatic relations, which are rooted in solidarity, shared aspiration, and mutual benefit, we also celebrate decades of our joint achievements, which include the robust educational and cultural collaboration between our two countries," Zhou added.
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Zambia hosts national final of Chinese language proficiency competition
LUSAKA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia on Friday hosted the final round of the Chinese language proficiency competition. The event featured 10 students competing in the final of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students in Zambia, and nine students in the 18th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students in Zambia. Participants demonstrated their proficiency in the Chinese language and showcased their knowledge of Chinese culture through poetry recitations and performances of Chinese pop songs. Speaking at the opening of the event, Wang Sheng, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, said the Chinese Bridge competition serves not only as a platform for language and cultural expression, but also as a bridge connecting China with the rest of the world. He encouraged the students to use the competition as a springboard for continuous personal development and cultural exchange. "I hope that through the Chinese Bridge competition, more and more Zambian youth will develop a passion for the Chinese language, master it, and gain a deeper appreciation of China from a multidimensional and comprehensive perspective," he said. Wang further said China and Zambia are all-weather friends and that cooperation in all sectors, including people-to-people exchanges, has grown, guided by the principles of mutual respect, equality, and common development. He urged young people to embrace the development opportunities brought about by the friendship between the two countries through learning the Chinese language. Felix Masiye, acting vice-chancellor of the University of Zambia, praised the Chinese language for being a vital bridge that connects nations and cultures, facilitates access to technology and business, and fosters people-to-people relationships. Masiye commended the Confucius Institute for its role in promoting the learning of Chinese in Zambia and for training local teachers. He said such efforts would significantly contribute to the widespread teaching and adoption of the language across the country. Mubanga Museba, a student at Kasama Girls Secondary School in northern Zambia, emerged victorious in the secondary school category. She expressed her joy over the victory, noting that the outcome was unexpected given the high level of competition among the contestants. Museba said she began learning Chinese out of love and passion for the language, as well as a desire for self-development.
The Star
17-05-2025
- General
- The Star
20-year-old university student emerges champion of "Chinese Bridge" contest in Tanzania
DAR ES SALAAM, May 17 (Xinhua) -- A 20-year-old Tanzanian female university student emerged as the champion of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students held on Friday at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam. Kuluthum Athman Maftah, a first-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education at the University of Dar es Salaam, triumphed over 11 other university students in a hotly contested competition sponsored by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, with support from the China Communications Construction Company Tanzania Branch. "I am very happy to be the champion of this competition," said Maftah. "I encourage my fellow students to learn Chinese so that they can become champions too." Maftah, who will travel to China later for the finals of the global competition, said she looks forward to learning more about Chinese culture and making friends with Chinese people. Zhang Xiaozhen, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, said the competition, jointly organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam and the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, attracted 12 students, among whom five from the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam and its centers, five from the Confucius Institute at the University of Dodoma and two from the Confucius Classroom at the State University of Zanzibar. Zhang said this competition aimed to provide a platform for participants from different regions to demonstrate their Chinese language skills, build a network among learners and encourage greater effort in learning the Chinese language and culture.
The Star
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Chinese language competition for university students held in Bulgaria
SOFIA, May 11 (Xinhua) -- The Bulgarian national round of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese language proficiency competition for foreign university students was held at the Confucius Institute in Sofia on Sunday. Eight contestants from three Bulgarian universities delivered speeches, participated in quiz games related to Chinese language and culture, and showcased their artistic talents during the event. Tiana Aleksieva, a student at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski," emerged as the winner and will represent Bulgaria in the competition's final stage in China. The runner-up, Monika Petrova, also from Sofia University, will attend it as a spectator. Aleksieva, 23, told Xinhua that she has been studying Chinese for five years, including one year in Beijing. She described the award as a reward for her dedication. "It will encourage me to continue learning Chinese," Aleksieva said. She noted that this was her first time participating in the "Chinese Bridge" competition. Prompted by her professors' encouragement, she decided that as a final-year student, it was the right time to test her knowledge. She wanted "to prove to myself the level I had reached." Currently, several Bulgarian universities, including Sofia University and the University of Veliko Turnovo, offer programs focused on the Chinese language and China.
The Star
10-05-2025
- The Star
Bulgarian students compete for spots in final round of Mandarin contests in China
SOFIA, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Eleven Bulgarian teenagers on Saturday took part in the national qualification contest of the 18th "Chinese Bridge" contest, a Chinese language proficiency competition for foreign secondary school students. The young contestants demonstrated their language skills and talents related to Chinese culture, earning rounds of applause from the audience at the Multifunctional Hall of the Confucius Institute in Sofia. Veronika Georgieva, a student from Vasil Levski Secondary School in the city of Ruse, emerged as the winner of this year and earned the chance to represent Bulgaria at the final stage of the competition in China. This is the third consecutive year that 16-year-old Georgieva has participated in the contest. In 2024, she took second place, she told Xinhua. "For me, this award is an encouragement for the efforts I have made in previous years and my hard studying," she said, adding that she was eager to experience life in China first hand. The event is part of a set of "Chinese Bridge" contests held annually in Bulgaria. The university-level contest is scheduled for Sunday, while primary school students will compete on May 17. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Wang Min, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, emphasized that the event is not just a language competition, but also a bridge that connects hearts and cultures. More and more young Bulgarians are getting closer to the language and Chinese culture through this competition, she said, adding that the contest is building bonds of friendship between the peoples of China and Bulgaria. Co-organized by the Confucius Institute in Sofia and the Confucius Institute at the University of Veliko Turnovo, the event is hosted by China's Center for Language Education and Cooperation and the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria.
