“Chinese Bridge” Proficiency Competition held in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, June 4, 2023 (FBC) – “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition held on Saturday with a view to improve the Chinese language ability of Ethiopian university and secondary school students, spread and carry forward the fine traditional Chinese culture, consolidate the foundation of cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Ethiopia.

The completion is also aimed to promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and actively build a China-Ethiopia community of shared future.

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia together with the Confucius Institute at Addis Ababa University and the Confucius Institute at Technical and Vocational Training Institute organized the final of the Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign University and Secondary School Students in Ethiopia on Saturday.

Zhao Zhiyuan，Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia attended and delivered a speech.

Cultural Counselor Che Zhaogang attended as well. Terefe Belay from the Ministry of Education of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia attended and delivered a speech; Representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Skills, Ministry of Culture and Sports and Ministry of Tourism were invited to be present in the match.

Six representatives from Chinese-funded enterprises, teachers from Ethiopian universities and secondary schools, a representative from Ethiopian media, and the Champion of the first “Chinese Bridge” Chinese proficiency Competition in Ethiopia are invited to serve as judges for the final.

More than 100 people attended the competition, including diplomats from the China Embassy in Ethiopia and their families, representatives of Chinese-funded institutions, and representatives of teachers and students from Addis Ababa University, Technical and Vocational Training Institute, Hawasa University and ODA Boarding School.

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Zhiyuan said that the “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition is a well-known brand of cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and foreign countries, an important platform to promote exchanges and friendship between Chinese and foreign students, and an important bridge to promote people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ambassador Zhao Zhiyuan pointed out that the world is made up of different civilizations, and there should not be only one color, one model, and one voice; language learning and communication can promote “a hundred flowers bloom” in countries with different civilizations and social systems” “A hundred schools of thought contend” “harmonious coexistence”, “communication and mutual learning”, and “the world as one family”.

It has helped build a bridge of communication and exchange. Ambassador Zhao Zhiyuan hoped that the young generation of China and Ethiopia should shoulder the historical responsibilities of the new era and fulfill the sacred mission entrusted by history.

Starting from learning each other’s language and culture, they will contribute to the promotion of economic, trade, education, culture and tourism, agriculture between China and Ethiopia. The role of bridges and bonds has been played to make the flower of China-Ethiopia friendship bloom more in full bloom and brilliantly.

This year marks the 22nd “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign University Students and the 16th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students.

The university has held internal selection competitions, and a total of 16 university students and 6 secondary school students entered the finals.  After a keynote speech with the theme “The World is One Family — Language Exchange Builds a Bridge of Cultural Exchange and Mutual Learning between China and Ethiopia ” and talent shows including Singing Chinese songs, Chinese dancing, poetry recitation, cross talk, tongue twisters, Huangmei Opera, martial arts performance, 2 special prizes, 2 first prizes, 4 second prizes, 6 third prizes and 8 excellence awards were afforded to the 22 contestants.

The Champion students in the university group and the secondary school group will go to China to participate in the finals. This competition has received strong support from Chinese-funded enterprises (institutions) such as CCECC (China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation), Five Star Elevator Manufacturing PLC, and the 24th batch of Chinese medical aid teams to Ethiopia.

At the award ceremony, Five Star Elevator Manufacturing PLC also organized its Ethiopian employees to perform two wonderful singing and dancing programs with Chinese cultural characteristics.

The “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency competition was first held in 2002 aiming to promote Chinese culture, enhance people’s cognition and understanding of China from all over the world, stimulate the enthusiasm of young people from all over the world to learn Chinese and understand Chinese culture, and promote friendly cooperation between China and other countries in the world.

Since 2002, more than 1.4 million non-native Chinese language learners from more than 150 countries have participated in “Chinese Bridge” Chinese proficiency competitions.