STORY: Chinese language proficiency contest sparks enthusiasm among Rwandan students
DATELINE: June 13, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:06
LOCATION: Kigali
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of event
2. various of the contestants
 
STORYLINE:

The 22nd "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition, an annual worldwide Chinese language speaking and performing event, brought pomp and color to Rwanda on Sunday as students from various schools competed for the championship.
   
During the competition, the contestants demonstrated their love, passion, and dedication to learning Chinese language, culture, and art.
   
The event featured a series of captivating programs, including Kung Fu performances, Chinese song performances, drama skits, and speeches.
   
Officiating the event, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Wang Xuekun said the Chinese language proficiency competition is an important bridge of communication, connecting China and Rwanda.
   
"Through the event, numerous Rwandan students have earned opportunities to visit China, see the country with their eyes, and walk on a different path of life," he said, adding that the competition has also enabled Chinese teachers and communities to experience how enthusiastic Rwandan students are for the language.
   
The ambassador said the Chinese Bridge is a "bridge of friendship" because many of the winners have become goodwill ambassadors for China-Rwanda relations.
   
Wang commended the Confucius Institute and the University of Rwanda for hosting the event and for their extraordinary contributions to Chinese language education.
   
At the event, Florien Nsanganwimana, acting principal of the College of Education at the University of Rwanda, expressed his pride in the achievements of Rwandan students, saying through the Chinese Bridge competition, Rwandan students have honed their ability to speak the Chinese language and have developed a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and art, a great accomplishment that should be celebrated.
   
Nsanganwimana acknowledged the invaluable support provided by Chinese cooperation, particularly through the Chinese embassy, which helped mobilize Chinese teachers to support the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda.
   
"We will continue organizing this competition to strengthen the cooperation between Rwanda and China," he said." In the future, we aim to expand the program and reach even more students than we are currently reaching."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kigali.
(XHTV)