Mexico City, Mexico - October 09, 2024

At just 10 years old, Frida Quetzalli is among a growing number of Mexican youngsters interested and becoming proficient in Mandarin, as the Chinese language and culture are gaining growing appeal in the country.

Despite her young age, Quetzalli is already a polyglot who can speak four languages: Spanish, Portuguese, English, and now, Mandarin Chinese.

Since taking an interest in the Chinese language during COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, the girl has continued her studies at the Confucius Institute in Mexico City, getting better day by day through regularly watching Chinese television programs, which she likes to do along with her family members.

The young prodigy seems to have a knack for conquering the different tones of Chinese pronunciation, which is often regarded as one of the most difficult parts for beginners.

The girl has now reached an intermediate level of conversation in Mandarin Chinese -- quite an accomplishment for a non-native speaker at her age, according to Yang Liu, Quetzalli's teacher at the Confucius Institute in the Mexican capital. And the girl was the proud champion in the fourth Chinese Bridge Chinese Show for Foreign Primary School Students in Mexico this summer.

So much has Quetzalli impressed her teachers that she will travel to China later this month to represent Mexico in the "Chinese Bridge", a proficiency contest for international students of Mandarin Chinese.

Quetzalli is far from the only Mexican who has taken an interest in the Chinese language and culture. With China's impressive economic success and growing soft power observed from the other side of the Pacific, an increasing number of people in the country are seeking to learn Mandarin, doing so at the five Confucius Institutes that have been launched in Mexico.

Jose Fu is the director of Mexico's first Confucius Institute, founded in 2006, where Quetzalli studies.

As Quetzalli prepares for her first visit to China, it is her dedication and intelligence that has taken her there.

Shotlist:
Mexico City, Mexico - Oct 9, 2024:
1. Various of 10-year-old Frida Quetzalli practicing writing Chinese characters on white board; Quetzalli holding guide for young Chinese language learners;
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Frida Quetzalli, Mandarin Chinese learner, Confucius Institute (starting with shot 1/partially overlaid with shot 3):
"Hello, everyone! I'm Frida from Mexico. I'm 10 years old this year. I like watching Chinese television programs and making Chinese food with my family.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
3. Display board;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
4. Various of Quetzalli, teacher, reporter looking at ancient Chinese-style clothing;
5. Display board showing initials of Chinese pinyin system;
6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish, dubbed in English) Frida Quetzalli, Mandarin Chinese learner, Confucius Institute (starting with shots 4-5):
"When it comes to pronouncing the tones, it's best to exaggerate them at first, (pronouncing Bei in pinyin) and then begin to make them softer as you advance.";
7. Various of teacher showing ancient Chinese-style headwear, Quetzalli dressed in ancient Chinese-style clothing interacting with teacher;
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish, dubbed in English) Yang Liu, Mandarin Chinese teacher, Confucius Institute (starting with shot 7/ending with shots 9-10):
"The Chinese Bridge competition is for middle-school students, and Frida will compete at just 10 years old against children of 12 or 13, so she's very advanced.";
9. Various of Quetzalli at Confucius Institute;
10. Various of Jose Fu, director of Confucius Institute, reading magazine;
11. SOUNDBITE (Spanish, dubbed in English) Jose Fu, director, Confucius Institute (starting with shot 10/ending with shot 12):
"Learning to speak Chinese has been both a personal and professional help for our students. China's success has now made speaking its language important, and it will be even more so in the future.";
12. Various of entrance, sign of Confucius Institute of National Autonomous University of Mexico;
13. Various of Quetzalli putting on ancient Chinese-style clothing; embroidery on clothing;
14. SOUNDBITE (Chinese, dubbed in English) Frida Quetzalli, Mandarin Chinese learner, Confucius Institute (starting with shot 13/ending with shots 15-16):
"Learning to speak Chinese has allowed me to see a wider world. I will keep my love for Chinese culture and work hard.";
15. Quetzalli with teacher;
16. Various of lion head props on display.

[Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]