The 25th edition of the Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for International University Students concluded with its global finals and award ceremony in Xiamen, Fujian, on August 23. Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng and Governor of Fujian Province Zhao Long attended the ceremony and delivered speeches.
Huai extended warm congratulations to winners on behalf of the Ministry of Education (MOE). He said that the Chinese Bridge Competition, through 25 years of development, has become a bridge of friendship and understanding between Chinese and foreign youth. He pledged that the MOE would continue to offer strong support to the competition, ensuring that it develops into an even greater platform for Chinese language learning and cultural exchange.
Huai encouraged the participants to continue their Chinese language studies and serve as ambassadors of friendship between China and their home countries. He expressed hope that they would use Chinese language learning as a key to discovering a real, multidimensional, and comprehensive China, and use digital tools to share compelling stories about China. He also emphasized that language learning not only fosters deeper understanding, but also contributes to building a more connected and harmonious world.
Governor Zhao Long said that Fujian would continue to host the Chinese Bridge contests, creating opportunities for more foreign friends to learn Chinese and experience Chinese culture.
Launched in February, this year’s Chinese Bridge competition brought together more than 50,000 university students from over 140 countries. The global finals were held concurrently in Beijing and Fujian from August 5 to 23, with 157 finalists from 139 countries participating, along with 131 observers. This last stage of the competition produced one overall champion and five continental champions, with prizes also going to five first-place, five second-place, and fifteen third-place winners. Additionally, 12 special awards were presented, while all other contestants received the Excellence Award.
