Dhaka: The 24th ‘Chinese Bridge’ competition took place today at the auditorium of North South University in the capital, aiming to fortify the relationship between China and Bangladesh. This year’s competition was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, with the Confucius Institute of North South University hosting the event.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Confucius Institute of Dhaka University and Shanto Mariam-Honghya Confucius Classroom served as co-organizing partners. The event was graced by Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, Li Shaofeng, as the chief guest. Other notable attendees included North South University Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Shanto Mariam University of Creative Technology Registrar Dr. Par Modiur Rahman, and representatives from China Media Group and Xinhua News. Educators from Dhaka University, North South University, and Shanto Mariam University of Creative Technology were also present.
During his speech, Li Shaofeng encouraged Bangladeshi students to learn the Chinese language, citing the impressive language skills showcased by participants. “Young people are opening the door to knowing more about China,” he remarked, highlighting the significance of cultural exchange.
Dr. Bulbul Siddiqui, the director of the Confucius Institute at North South University, delivered the welcoming speech at the event. The competition concluded with one individual claiming the title, two runners-up, and three third-place winners. Additionally, four participants received the Excellence Award. The champion of the Bangladesh segment will proceed to China to compete for the international trophy and participate in the International Chinese Language Teacher Scholarship Project.
The ‘Chinese Bridge’ Chinese Language Proficiency Competition for Foreign University Students is a major international event organized by the Chinese and Foreign Language Exchange Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Education of China. It comprises preliminary competitions in various countries, with the final round held in China. Since its inception in 2002, the competition has successfully completed 23 editions, creating a robust link between China and over 160 countries and regions worldwide.