Contestants from over 130 countries and regions “meet with Fujian”

The global finals of the 24th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students and Summer Camp were scheduled to be held in Beijing and Fujian from August 4 to August 26. About 160 contestants and 140 observers from more than 130 countries and regions from across the world would leave for China to take part in the Chinese proficiency competition or cultural experience activities, which are in line with international practices, and boast Chinese characteristics as well as the charm of Fujian Province.

Since its inception in 2002, the “Chinese Bridge” Chinese proficiency competition has gained access to a cumulative total of over 160 countries and regions, drawn more than 1.7 million-plus teenagers to participate in preliminary contests abroad. With an annual viewership of 100 million around the world, the competition is hailed as the global “Olympic Games” for Chinese. Since this February when preliminary contests were launched abroad, the 24th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students has attracted the participation of a total of over 50,000 college students from 141 countries and regions around the world.

In accordance with the theme “All under heaven are of one family” and with a focus on “meeting with Fujian, China and the future”, the event is aimed at building a brand for open education, international communication and international Chinese education, prioritizes the dimensions of “embracing people, different things, history, culture, friendship and the future” and follow “world-class” practices to become a globe-oriented platform, and open a window for youngsters from across the world to see the charm of China and join hands to create a better future. During the event, contestants successively visited Beijing, Wuyishan, Quanzhou, Jinjiang, Nan’an, Fuzhou and Pingtan, and saw second-hand more than 20 intangible cultural heritages on the stage featuring iconic views.  (Wang Yanglin)