STORY: Language proficiency contest encourages Cambodians to learn Chinese
SHOOTING TIME: May 11, 2024
DATELINE: May 12, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:42
LOCATION: Phnom Penh
CATEGORY: SOCIETY/CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the contest 
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): KOL SOVATHANAK, Winner
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): KOL SOVATHANAK, Winner
3. SOUNDBITE 3 (Khmer): KOEM KEAMHEANG, Second place in the competition

STORYLINE:

The Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia on Saturday organized the 23rd "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Cambodian university students.
   
A total of 10 Cambodian finalists, shortlisted out of dozens of candidates from various universities and institutes in the Southeast Asian country, contested in the final round held at the Royal Academy of Cambodia in Phnom Penh.
   
Among the tests set for the participants were a quiz, delivering keynote speeches, and a talent show with each participant presenting performances related to Chinese culture including songs, music, dancing, drawing, and martial arts, among others.
   
The top winner was awarded to Kol Sovathanak, a 22-year-old student from the Confucius Institute of the Cambodia-China University of Technology and Science.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): KOL SOVATHANAK, Top winner
"This contest helps improve our knowledge of the Chinese language, Chinese culture and civilization, and it is also a platform for Cambodia-China cultural exchanges. I'm really excited and proud to win first place in the contest because although I'm a Cambodian, I can do well in the Chinese proficiency contest."

Sovathanak has studied Chinese for more than three years. He said the Chinese language has become popular in Cambodia thanks to close ties between the two countries in politics, economics, trade, investment, tourism, culture and education.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): KOL SOVATHANAK, Top winner
"Learning Chinese not only helps us find a job easier, but also helps us gain insights into Chinese culture, civilization, and daily life. Currently, Cambodia-China cooperation is comprehensive, and learning Chinese is essential for Cambodian students."

Koem Keamheang, a student at the Confucius Institute of Cambodia-China University of Technology and Science, won second place in the competition. 

SOUNDBITE 3 (Khmer): KOEM KEAMHEANG, Second place in the competition
"I like the Chinese language and I have learned it since I was a child, and this is the second time that I have joined this contest. For Cambodian students learning the Chinese language, I think this contest is very useful because it allows them to better understand Chinese arts and literature."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Phnom Penh.
(XHTV)