Program Introduction
The “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students Program is a large-scale international competition organized by Confucius Institute Headquarters. Since its launch in 2002, this annual event has become an important platform for international college students to learn the Chinese language and understand more about China. It also serves to help young people in the world to communicate better with one another. Students who win the preliminary rounds held in their countries/regions qualify to come to China for the semi-finals and finals. They will also get scholarships to further their studies in China as rewards.
Competition Procedure
- Participants
To be eligible, the participant must meet the following requirements:
Currently enrolled university/college student
Aged between 18 and 30 at application
Non-Chinese citizenship (born and grown outside of China)
Non-native Chinese speaker (Neither of the participant’s parents is a native Chinese speaker.)
Semi-final and Final contestants of the previous year cannot participate in the competition of the current year.T - Topic of the Competition
Each year, the competition is specified with a topic/theme. Please go to the official “Chinese Bridge” website (http://bridge.chinese.cn) for the detailed information. - Content of the Competition
The content of the competition includes Chinese language proficiency, knowledge about China, Chinese cultural talent show and comprehensive learning abilities.
(1) Chinese language proficiency evaluates the contestants’ competency in Mandarin listening, speaking, reading and writing.
(2) Knowledge about China assesses the contestants’ understanding about China in her geography, history, economy and culture.
(3) Chinese cultural talent show includes Chinese songs, dances, musical instruments, Chinese operas, calligraphy, paintings and the Martial Arts.
(4) Comprehensive learning abilities are examined with proper training programmes about Chinese language and culture. - Competition Process
(1) Preliminary Rounds
The educational or cultural offices of Chinese Embassies (Consulates) or Confucius Institutes organize the overseas preliminary competitions, select and recommend contestants to attend the semi-finals held in China. Each contest region can also recommend one outstanding contestant to come to China to observe the competition.
Slovakia and the Czech Republic belong to one Competition region, and thus the preliminary round is held in turns in Slovakia or in the Czech Republic. For example, the competition was held in the Czech Republic in 2019, and therefore, it will be held in Slovakia in 2020.
(2) Semi-finals and Final Round
In each July, the semi-final round selects the players for the final round through testing their Chinese language proficiency, knowledge about China, Chinese cultural talents, etc. The final round results in the special award and the first, second and third place winners as well as the single award winners through elimination competitions. Please go to the official “Chinese Bridge” website (http://bridge.chinese.cn) for details.
(3) Time
The Preliminary Round: between March and Early June
The Semi-Finals and the Final Round: between Mid-July and Mid-August. - Awards
(1) The Preliminary Round: The first prize winner will be invited as the contestant to the Semi-finals and the Final Round, representing both Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The second prize winner will be invited as an observer to the Semi-finals and the Final Round. The other contestants will be awarded by the Organizing Committee of the Preliminary Round.
(2) The Semi-Finals and the Final Round: All contestants will be awarded with Confucius Institute Scholarships. The single awards winners and the third prize winners and above will also win a return ticket concerning CI scholarship. The Organizing Committee will furnish specific information about the prizes.
Contact Information
- CIB at UMB: konfuciov.institut@umb.sk
- CI Headquarters: chinesebridge@hanban.org
- Official website: bridge.chinese.cn