Cambodian Confucius Institute organizes Chinese proficiency contest for secondary students

World Today

The Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia on Wednesday hosted the 7th Chinese Bridge Chinese proficiency competition for Cambodian secondary students.

Fourteen Cambodian candidates, who had been shortlisted from dozens of students, were contested in the final stage on Wednesday.

Each contestant was given three minutes to talk on the topic ” The story of me and the Confucius Institute” combined with their own understanding of Chinese culture, and they were also required to show their talents in mastering Chinese music and arts.

A top prize was awarded to He Changfeng, a male student at the Duan Hua Chinese School.

Chea Monirith, the director of the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the contest gave an opportunity to Cambodian students to show their courage and knowledge in Chinese language and culture.

“The winner will be sent to China to join a Chinese proficiency competition with students from 104 countries (later this year),” he said.

Phy Virak, undersecretary of state of the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said the Chinese Bridge was an essential program to encourage Cambodian students to learn Chinese for a chance to see China.

“The program gives opportunities to non-Chinese native students to visit and study in China,” he said.

Meanwhile, he hailed the Confucius Institute for its efforts in helping deepen Cambodia-China ties in the fields of laguage and culture.

The event was sponsored by the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia.