The Confucius Institute at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) is hosting the Samoan Division of the 19th Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for foreign students under the theme "One World, One Family."

The Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition is a platform for foreign students learning Chinese to interact with each other and to show their Chinese proficiency.

With the help of the Internet, it will further promote Chinese culture and language learning in Samoa, which will in turn encourage more Samoan students to learn Chinese.

The competition at the N.U.S. will mark the first time Samoa is participating.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Chinese Bridge Competition will be held online. The contestants are required to submit two videos [one for speech in Chinese and one for Chinese talent show] before the July 28 deadline. 

Chinese teachers at the N.U.S. Confucius Institute will give scores for all online videos submitted.

In a Wechat response to questions by the Samoa Observer, Director of the Samoa Confucius Institute, Dr. Tony Liang, said the Chinese Bridge Proficiency Competition is an international competition organised by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation in China [formerly known as Confucius Institute Headquarters].

"This annual event has been held worldwide since 2002 and it has attracted students from about 130 countries to participate in," he said.

"The competition is open to any university or college student under the age of 30 who was not born in China or any foreign-born Chinese whose first language is not Chinese.

 "The preliminary rounds will be held in various countries with the semi-finals and finals being held in China [or online]."

Dr. Liang further stated that the Chinese Bridge Competition aims to increase the interest of students in various countries learning Chinese and to strengthen the world's understanding of Chinese language and culture. 

"At present, the competition has become an important platform for college students of various countries to learn Chinese language and learn about China," he added.

"It builds a bridge of communication between young people of China and other countries. It also serves to help young people from all over the world learn to communicate more effectively with each other."

When asked what the winners of the Samoa Division of the competition will receive, he said: "Students who win the preliminary rounds will qualify to travel to China for the finals [or online like this year].

"These students will also get scholarships to further their studies in China. While in China, they will have the opportunity to take part in many different cultural events. Participants of preliminary rounds will get certificates and prizes from Confucius Institute at the N.U.S.”

He further explained that similar competitions will be held annually in Samoa in the future.

"We are happy that more and more Samoan students are interested in learning Chinese language. Except for N.U.S. students, the Confucius Institute also has Chinese classes at Magiagi, Vaivase, and Apia Primary School," he reiterated.

"I believe learning Chinese language can help students to understand more about China and will help enhance friendship between Samoan and Chinese people. Chinese language is also an important skill for students’ further education and future development."

Dr. Tony Liang thanked the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture [M.E.S.C] and the Chinese Embassy in Samoa for their support of the Confucius Institute. 

"My thanks also goes to the N.U.S. V.C. and D.V.C. for their guidance and help in organizing this competition. Special thanks to the Dean and Staff at F.O.A. of N.U.S. for their cooperation with the Confucius Institute," he added.

Dr. Liang encouraged all Chinese language learners aged 15-30 to participate in the online event and send their video entries to the email address: [email protected]