The sixteenth Chinese Bridge Competition for international universities has taken place in the Senegalese capital of Dakar, showcasing Senegal students’ ability in Chinese proficiency.
Ten students from different universities took part.
Students gathered at the Dakar Confucius Institute to showcase their talent in Chinese art and their competence in the Chinese language.
The competition was divided into three parts: Chinese speech, a segment on general knowledge and a talent show.
It’s not always easy learning a foreign language, but the participants were determined to showcase their prowess in mandarin.
The number of African students participating in this competition has been growing over the years, and Joanita Kandji – a student from Benin – talked of her hopes to one day visit the Asian country.
“I would like to go to China to learn Chinese fashion and its culture in order to develop my talents,” she told CGTN Africa.
“This will also allow me to have great opportunities in the Asian world.”
A participant of the Chinese Bridge Competition, Etienne Ngome, spoke of his fondness for the Chinese culture.
“What I retain from the Chinese people is that they are very polite, very modest and hard-working people. China has invested heavily in Senegal, specifically the construction of several companies in the city of Diamniadio, the construction of the bridge ‘illah Touba‘ and many other achievements.”
The competition is sponsored by the Chinese embassy and hosted by the Confucius Institute in Dakar, and is seeking to strengthen and promote cultural exchanges between China and Senegal.
Chinese Ambassador to Senegal, Zhang Xun, attended the event and was very happy with the competition’s outcome.
“I am very pleased to see that this year the level of performance of young candidates is higher than last year,” Xun told CGTN Africa.
“This means that as time goes on, relations between China and Senegal are only strengthening. I am also happy to see that more and more students are interested in Chinese language and culture. I am very touched to see these candidates express themselves and sing in Chinese, it is really a great success.”
The winner of the competition will represent Senegal in the final stages of the contest, which will be held in China, next July.
The Confucius Institute has been organising similar competitions around the world for the last 15 years.
