STORY: Jordanian youth excel in Chinese proficiency competition
SHOOTING TIME: May 28, 2024
DATELINE: May 29, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:30
LOCATION: Amman
CATEGORY: CULTURE/EDUCATION

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the competition
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): HAZIM AL-MASRI, First-place winner

STORYLINE:

Jordan's 23rd edition of the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for college students concluded its finals on Tuesday at the Philadelphia University in Jordan.

The competition was co-organized by the Amman Chinese Cultural Center and by Philadelphia University, with support from the Chinese Embassy in Jordan.

Chinese Ambassador Chen Chuandong highlighted the growing popularity of Chinese language learning in Jordan, noting that there are over 1,000 students enrolled in Jordan's two Confucius Institutes and seven Chinese language programs.

Ten contestants from the University of Jordan, Philadelphia University, Yarmouk University, and the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Confucius Institute competed in the finals, showcasing their Chinese language skills through speeches, knowledge tests, and talent performances.

Hazem Al-Masri, representing the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Confucius Institute, secured first place. Fawzia Hammo from the University of Jordan won second place. The winners will represent Jordan at the competition's global finals in Beijing.

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): HAZEM AL-MASRI, First-place winner
"Talking to Chinese people more often will greatly improve your language ability. 'Learning without thinking leads to confusion; thinking without learning ends in danger.' I'm very happy because I will go to China to participate in the global finals. I will make full preparations, hoping to get a good result."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Amman.
(XHTV)