10th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students Kicks off in Yunnan Normal University

On the morning of October 17th, sponsored by the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province, and organized by the Education Department of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Normal University and Yunnan Television, the10th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students themed “Learn Chinese， Double Your World” was held at the Hongzhu Square of Yunnan Normal University. The event saw the presence of Zeng Hua, Vice-chairman of the Yunnan Province's CPPCC (Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), Meng Yuewu, Deputy Secretary-General of Standing Committee of the Yunnan Province's Congress, Zhao Ruijun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Yunnan Provincial Government, Li Guochen, Deputy Director of the General Office of CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee, Zheng Ming, Deputy Director of the Subcommittee of Cultural and Historical Data of the Yunnan Province's CPPCC, Zheng Yi, Deputy Director of the Education Department of Yunnan Province, Rao Wei, Secretary of the CPC Committee of Yunnan Normal University, Jiang Yongwen, President of Yunnan Normal University, Ding Wenli, Vice President of Yunnan Normal University, Yang Huimin, Vice President of Yunnan Television and other guests as well as a total of 320 teachers and students from 110 divisions in 96 countries were present at the event in the spring city—Kunming.

At the square, students of Yunnan Normal University lined up along the road to welcome the contestants from the five continents. With pure and elegant Sizhu ensemble, an elder together with 20 kids gave recitations of Li Wen Dui Yun. Amid the sound of recital, the teachers and students from the five continents talked about their feeling about the competition and sincere wishes. The event officially kicked off with the sound of drumming by the guests.

After the ceremony, the contestants danced hand in hand, and were in mad rush to be the first to t stick their wishes to the wishing wall. Then led by volunteers, the teachers and students went to the international friendship forest for tree planting. They went to the trees that represent their own country and picked up shovels and buckets to water, fertilize and earth up. A rare Chinese plant "Liriodendron Chinens" was cultivated at the bridge of friendship, connecting Chinese and foreign cultures, planting an unforgettable experience and a common dream.

Afterwards, contestants went head on into all the segments of the cultural event and competed fiercely to the event’s very end.