Foreign students gather for Chinese Bridge language contest

The launching ceremony in Baise. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]

The 22nd Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students - known as the Chinese Bridge - was launched in Baise, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Aug 21.

The Chinese Bridge is a competition for overseas students on their mastery of the Chinese language, established with the goal of introducing Chinese internationally. 

After competing in overseas preliminaries, a total of 138 contestants from 120 countries came this year to Guangxi to participate.

The contestants will participate in the early rounds, semi-finals and finals in Guangxi cities - including Baise, Guilin and Nanning - where they will learn and experience the local ethnic culture and folk activities. 

Baise has a long history and rich cultural heritage, with more than 10 national-level intangible cultural heritage items listed, including the Bulutuo culture and the crafting of Zhuang brocade. It also has diverse ethnic culture elements such as Zhuang ethnic folk songs, Zhuang brocade and embroidered balls.

The Chinese Bridge competition has attracted more than 1.5 million young students from over 160 countries and regions around the world in its 20-year history. It has become an important platform for Chinese language enthusiasts from around the world to communicate and exchange ideas.