On November 12 (local time), the Confucius Institute at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados (CI at Barbados), held the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK, literally Chinese proficiency test). Thirtyfour candidates from five countries, namely Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago, took the first and second level exams of the HSK. These candidates came from different walks of life, including undergraduate students, college faculties, diplomats, medical workers and company employees.
The examination center of the CI at Barbados was approved and established on May 1, 2016. The test is also the first HSK held in the East Caribbean States, which is of major significance. Under the strong support of Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters), the CI will continue to hold more HSK tests in order to meet the increasing demands of growing numbers of Chinese learners. The efforts will also help to facilitate the development of the HSK in Barbados and the East Caribbean States as well as make the test more influential.
