By Mewati Sitaram
The much-awaited 22nd Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students (India Chapter) final was successfully held at the rooftop of the Trident hotel in South Mumbai on June 23, 2023. The opening speech was delivered by Kong Xianhua, the Consul General of China in Mumbai, and the chief guest was Weng Taihui, China’s Vice Minister for Education. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Ms. Ma Jia, Charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Delhi, Zha Liyou, Consulate General of Kolkata, and officials from the Chinese government.
Several speeches were given by notable individuals, including a Joint Secretary from the protocol department of the Government of Maharashtra, Ms. Ma Jia, Charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Delhi, Zha Liyou, Consulate General of Kolkata, and officials from various universities in India. Over 200 participants, including teachers, students majoring in Chinese language and international Chinese language education, as well as Chinese culture enthusiasts, attended the prestigious event.
China Vice Edu. minister Weng Tiehui & Charge d’affaires Ma Jia handing over the award to winners.
Among the ten Indian finalists, Vishal Anand, a 19-year-old student from the Central University of Gujarat in Gandhinagar, emerged as the champion. He will now represent India in the worldwide competition, which will take place in China later this month. The contest’s theme was “One World, One Family,” and each contestant went through three rounds, including a talent show, a knowledge round, and a speech round. The participants, representing six different Indian institutions, showcased their language skills in front of a panel of judges comprising Chinese language experts.
His Excellency Kong Xianhua, Consul General of China in Mumbai in his address, emphasized the importance of enhancing language skills as a means to achieve a better understanding and stronger consensus in Sino-Indian relationships. He praised the University of Mumbai and Somaiya University, in particular, for their Chinese language programs, noting the rapid growth of Chinese language proficiency not only in Mumbai but throughout India.
Her Excellency Ms. Ma Jia, Charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Delhi, expressed delight at the significant number of students showing keen interest in learning the Chinese language. She commended the performance of the participants and mentioned that in recent years, 10,000 visas have been issued to Indian students to study in China. The Chinese Embassy is eager to issue more visas, as the knowledge of the Chinese language will provide Indian students with excellent opportunities.
Over the past several years, Chinese language learning has gained popularity among Indian students, leading to the establishment of exclusive Chinese language departments in many Indian universities. Numerous Indian students have displayed a keen interest in pursuing their education in Chinese universities to develop their skills in specific majors.
The Chinese Bridge-Chinese Proficiency Competition has emerged as a global platform for Chinese language learning and cultural exchanges, attracting participation and immense popularity from around the world. With over 1 million Chinese language learners from more than 120 countries, this competition has established itself as the premier event for showcasing linguistic skills and fostering cross-cultural connections.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
