2025 Chinese Bridge Global Foreigners Chinese Proficiency Competition (Storytelling Category) Central China Preliminary Held in Wuhan

Xinhua News Agency, Wuhan, March 31 (Reporter Zhao Biqing) – A spring breeze caressed the River City, with cherry blossoms dancing in harmony with its charm. On March 30, the Central China Preliminary for the 2025 "Chinese Bridge" Global Foreigners Chinese Proficiency Competition (Storytelling Category) was held at Hubei University of Economics. 183 contestants from 53 countries and regions gathered in Wuhan, using Chinese as a bridge to tell stories of cultural dialogue transcending time and space, painting a picture of mutual learning among civilizations amidst the cherry blossom rain on Canglong Island.

Distinguished guests attending the Central China preliminary included Fu Hong, Vice President of Hubei University of Economics; Bi Xianrong, Director of the Exit and Entry Management Division of the Foreign Affairs Office of Hubei Provincial People's Government; Hu Anwei, Director of the Science and Technology Talent Division of the Department of Science and Technology of Hubei Province and Head of the Hubei Provincial Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs; and Yu Lei, Section Chief of the International Cooperation and Exchange Division of the Hubei Provincial Department of Education. Fu Hong and Yu Lei delivered speeches.

Judges for this preliminary included Xie Dongsheng, a Broadcasting Director from Hubei Television and TV host; Gao Jiayong, Dean and Professor of the School of International Education at Tianjin Foreign Studies University; and Chen Jianhua, Dean and Professor of the School of Journalism and Communication at Hubei University of Economics.

This year's "Chinese Bridge" Global Foreigners Chinese Proficiency Competition (Storytelling Category) consists of three stages: preliminaries, semi-finals, and finals. The preliminary stage adopted a hybrid online and offline format, with online submission of entries followed by offline evaluation to qualify for the offline competition. Contestants could use Chinese for various presentations, including storytelling, talk shows, skits, crosstalk, short plays, and speeches.

The Central China Preliminary selected 10 contestants for the Style Award. Five contestants received direct advancement cards, granting them entry into the semi-finals. They are: Chen Zhengxi from Malaysia, Qi Yuxin from Zimbabwe, Nana from Ghana, Daniel from Russia, and Qi Yunsong from Nigeria. The semi-finals and finals will be held in Hangzhou.

The contestants expressed their passion for learning Chinese and their affection for China in their own ways. Qi Yuxin from Zimbabwe said, "I study medicine in China. I initially became fond of Chinese because of Chinese movies; I found the poetry in them very beautiful. Later, I started learning Chinese and came to China for further studies. Now I genuinely feel the profound depth of the Chinese language." Paul from Bangladesh said, "I love Chinese culture, especially Tai Chi. I practice it often and have come to understand its principles – cultivating both internal and external aspects, 'using stillness to control movement, remaining calm even in action'."

As one of the five major competition zones, the Central China Preliminary covered Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shanghai, Zhejiang, and other areas, coordinating with the Tianjin, Harbin, Lanzhou, and Chongqing competition zones, allowing contestants to choose the nearest location.

Additionally, the organizers arranged a series of rich and varied activities for the contestants, including visits to the Yellow Crane Tower, experiences of traditional Chinese culture such as cherry blossom seal carving, sachet making, printmaking creation, and calligraphy practice centered on the Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion, as well as a youth exchange fair and traditional Chinese food tasting sessions.

The 2025 "Chinese Bridge" Global Foreigners Chinese Proficiency Competition (Storytelling Category) (Central China Preliminary) was organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education, hosted by Hubei University of Economics and Wuzhou Hanfeng Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., and supported by the Xinhua News Agency Exhibition Channel. This international Chinese competition aims to provide a platform for Chinese learners worldwide to showcase their Chinese proficiency, promote cultural exchange among nations, and deepen overseas Chinese learners' understanding of the Chinese language and culture.

Source: Xinhuanet