STORY: Chinese language contest held in Czech Republic
SHOOTING TIME: May 17, 2024
DATELINE: May 18, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:07
LOCATION: Prague
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of competition for primary school students
2. various of competition for secondary school students
3. various of performance by students of Chinese International School of Prague

STORYLINE:

Czech national qualifications for the 17th "Chinese Bridge" -- Chinese Proficiency Competition for foreign secondary school students -- were held here on Friday.
   
Hosted by the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic, the competition consists of three parts: themed speech, talent show, and knowledge quiz. Contestants shared their experiences of learning Chinese and their stories about China, demonstrating their passion for the Chinese language and culture through the contest.
   
Alex Ruzicka from the American Academy in Prague won the competition and will represent the Czech Republic in the "Chinese Bridge" global finals. Meanwhile, a Chinese show for primary school students in the Czech Republic was also held, in which ten-year-old Wilhelmina Pachinger won the top award.
   
Addressing the event, Chinese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Feng Biao said "Chinese Bridge" serves not only as a bridge for language but also for culture and friendship, connecting hearts and minds.
   
"As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, we would like to take this opportunity to advance exchanges and cooperation in various fields with the Czech side on the basis of mutual respect, equal treatment and mutual benefit, deepen the friendship between the two peoples and contribute to the sound and steady development of China-Czech relations," he said.
   
Feng said that he hopes the students will take the Chinese language as a bridge to better understand the Chinese culture and development, and become friendly envoys to promote the exchanges and cooperation between China and the Czech Republic.
   
As the event organizer, Dai Bo, head of the Chinese International School of Prague, said the "Chinese Bridge" competition is like the Olympics for Chinese language learners. "We hope to see more Czech primary and secondary school students take this platform to showcase their achievements and share their joy in learning Chinese," he said.
   
Before the competition, students from the Chinese International School of Prague also performed several programs, including Chinese poetry recitation, guzheng performance, and saxophone solo.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Prague.
(XHTV)