The preliminary contest for the Barbadian Division of the 14th "Chinese Bridge" (Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students) was successfully held at the Art Lecture Theater of University of the West Indies (UWI) at Cave Hill on May 22. Nearly one hundred attendees watched the contest. Among the attendees were Ms. Wang Ke, Chinese Ambassador to Barbados, Prof. Violet Eudine Barrteau, the incoming Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UWI at Cave Hill, Mr. Song Qingbao and Mr. Ché Leon C Corbin, the Chinese and Barbadian Co-directors of the Confucius Institute (CI) affiliated to that University, as well as representatives of overseas Chinese citizens and locals with Chinese origins, Chinese enterprises in Barbados and the media.
Before the start of the contest, Mr. Song Qingbao briefed the audience on the meaning and procedure of the “Chinese Bridge”, and highlighted its important role in connecting China to the world as“a Bridge of Culture, a Bridge of Friendship, and a Bridge of Soul & Heart”. Prof. Violet Eudine Barrteau, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UWI at Cave Hill, delivered a welcome speech and recalled her delightful experiences of visiting China twice in the past. She also expressed her gratitude to the Chinese Embassy and the newly-founded Confucius Institute for their great efforts to make preparations for this contest, and wished complete success for the “Chinese Bridge”.
After that, six contestants launched an intense competition consisting of three parts: “delivering a speech in Chinese”, “talent show” and “quiz on Chinese language and culture”.
When the competition came to an end, the Chinese Ambassador to Barbados, Ms. Wang Ke, commented highly of the contestants’ passion for learning Chinese and their enthusiasm as demonstrated in the talent show. She also encouraged more students to learn Chinese on their own initiative, to devote themselves to promoting cooperation between China and Barbados, and to strengthen the friendship between the two peoples. Ms. Patricia Harris, who had spent six years in China studying and working, also shared her experience in China with the audience. She encouraged the local students to experience the extensive and profound oriental culture by visiting China personally. Barbadian Co-director, Mr.Corbin, also thanked the contestants and mentioned that this contest was a good start for the newly-created Confucius Institute as it was the first large-scale activity hosted by the Institute. Mr. Corbin sincerely hoped that the audiences would pay close attention to a series of activities and courses that are planned to be launched in the near future.
At last, hosts Shi Yuchen and Zhang Qi announced the results of the competition, and the First “Chinese Bridge” for Barbados College Students ended successfully in laughter and cheers.
