On July 9, 2025 “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Global Foreigners concluded in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Qi Yunsong (NNABUIKE SUNDAY CHISOM), a Nigerian student from ZUEL, claimed the championship title, while Ghanaian student Nana (BIMPONG-DONKOR NAANA NHYIRA) secured a spot in the global top 50.
Co-organized by the Ministry of Education and the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, this year’s competition adopted a hybrid online-offline format. It was conducted simultaneously in five regional qualifiers including Wuhan and Chongqing, along with global digital platforms, attracting over 1,400 participants from more than 90 countries. After preliminary rounds, 50 contestants advanced to the Hangzhou semifinals and finals.
In the semifinals, Nana vividly portrayed how hot Wuhan is——not only depicting the summer heat but also showcasing the locals' warmth and hospitality through her witty and infectious language. Qi Yunsong shared his transformation from unfamiliarity to passion for Chinese cuisine, with his brilliant crosstalk performance energizing the entire audience. Together, they both showcased their solid command of the Chinese language.
On the final night, the Hangzhou Dianzi University Gymnasium was aglow with starlight. Cai Wen, a Mongolian student from our university and top ten contestant from Year 2024, sang “Heart to Heart, Side by Side” to cheer on the competitors. During the climactic showdown, Qi Yunsong performed a stand-up comedy sketch about the farewell story between Li Bai and Meng Haoran at the Yellow Crane Tower. By quoting verses from “Seeing Meng Haoran Off from Yellow Crane Tower”, he openly expressed his homesickness while studying abroad, declaring that Chinese had healed his sorrow of separation. He further vowed to become a “bridge” for spreading China’s stories. His heartfelt delivery and confident stage presence moved the entire audience, ultimately securing his victory.
Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (ZUEL) has always attached great importance to international education in China, delved into the development of Chinese language education for international students. Our university is committed to building cross-cultural communication platforms and cultivating international students who understand and befriend China. ZUEL encourages them to tell the China story from diverse perspectives, thereby contributing to mutual learning between Chinese and other civilizations.
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Reporters：Li Muzi, Wu Shasha