STORY: Chinese proficiency competition held in Lebanon
SHOOTING TIME: May 18, 2024
DATELINE: May 20, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:39
LOCATION: Beirut
CATEGORY: EDUCATION

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the "Chinese Bridge" competition in Lebanon
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): VIVIAN AL-GHAZAL, Student at Lebanese University
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): LIU LI, Chinese director at Confucius Institute at Lebanon's Saint Joseph University
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): NISRINE LATTOUF, Director of Confucius Institute at Lebanon's Saint Joseph University
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Arabic): QIAN MINJIAN, Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon

STORYLINE:

A Chinese proficiency competition was held in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Saturday.

The 23rd "Chinese Bridge" competition, jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon and the Confucius Institute at Lebanon's Saint Joseph University, featured the participation of 13 Lebanese students.

The annual event aimed at inspiring students to learn the Chinese language and boosting the world's understanding of Chinese culture.

Vivian Al-Ghazal, a 20-year-old student from Lebanese University, clinched the top prize.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): VIVIAN AL-GHAZAL, Student at Lebanese University
"What I learned today is that cultures can cooperate with each other. And it is very beautiful to interact with other cultures and get to know other people and their history. That is why it is called the 'Chinese Bridge' competition. It's a bridge to link two countries and to let people know more about the society and the culture."
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): LIU LI, Chinese director at Confucius Institute at Lebanon's Saint Joseph University
"Each semester we have about 300 Chinese language learners. The Chinese language is becoming more and more popular and accepted in the society of Lebanon."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): NISRINE LATTOUF, Director of Confucius Institute at Lebanon's Saint Joseph University
"The demand is increasing in the center. We see that many people are interested in learning the Chinese language, including young and old people, particularly children, as their parents are becoming aware of the importance of learning the Chinese language for their future and their career."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Arabic): QIAN MINJIAN, Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon
"This competition is a cultural bridge fostering friendship, linking China to the world, and proving the unique magic of the Chinese language and Chinese culture. It also proved the flexibility and excellence of cultural exchange facing conflicts."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beirut.
(XHTV)