Confucius Institute at UWC Co-Hosts the 24th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for South African College Students

The South Africa finals of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students took place on Friday in Cape Town, the country's legislative capital, where participants showcased remarkable language abilities and cultural talents.

Hosted by the Chinese Embassy in South Africa and organized by the "Chinese Bridge" Club in Cape Town, the event was co-sponsored by Confucius Institutes across the country. This year's competition, themed "One World, One Family," consisted of three segments: a quiz on China-related knowledge, a Chinese language proficiency contest, and a showcase of Chinese cultural talents.

In a video message, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng highlighted the role of language cooperation as a key part of people-to-people exchanges.

"As an important component of people-to-people exchanges, language cooperation between China and South Africa empowers mutual understanding between our peoples and contributes to the enduring friendship between our two nations," he noted.

Tang Chang'an, deputy consul general of the Chinese Consulate-General in Cape Town, attended the event. "Through your effort and your interest in language and culture, you are helping build a stronger, more connected world," he added, encouraging the contestants to continuously bridge diverse cultures through the power of language, friendship, and shared dreams.

Wu Changhong, chairperson of the "Chinese Bridge" Club in Cape Town, the co-director of CI at University of the Western Cape, described the competition as a celebration of language and culture. She praised the participants for demonstrating excellent language proficiency and a deep appreciation of Chinese culture.

During the competition, contestants showcased their Chinese language skills through speeches and cultural performances. From singing and dancing to calligraphy and martial arts, their talents reflected both linguistic proficiency and a deep appreciation for Chinese culture.

The event coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival, during which Chinese instructors Dr. Yuan Yuhan and Ms. Wilma led a cultural workshop on making traditional five-colored cords. This hands-on activity offered participants a meaningful experience of Chinese culture and added a festive touch to the event.

The “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for South African college students not only showcased the participants’ linguistic talents and cultural understanding, but also served as a vital bridge for friendship and exchange between China and South Africa. Through this event, an increasing number of young South Africans are gaining growth through learning Chinese and deepening mutual understanding through cultural exchange. We look forward to seeing these outstanding students continue to share China’s story on the international stage and become ambassadors for China–South Africa friendship in the years to come.