“Charming Chinese, Splendid EXPO” The 9th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students (Singapore 2010)

This is the second time NTU’s Confucius Institute and Business China jointly organised the Singapore leg of the 9th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students. The competition returns this year with the theme “Charming Chinese, Splendid EXPO”, in line with the ongoing Shanghai World Expo. On top of that, to encourage more participation, this year’s competition was re-tailored with more interactive and fun elements.

The Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students is an international competition organised annually by the Chinese Language Council International (Hanban). Since 2002, the Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition has been successfully held for 8 consecutive years with more than 600 students from 50 over different countries competing in the grand finals, and over 50,000 students participating in the preliminary rounds. The Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition has since become one of the most prestigious and influential Chinese language competitions worldwide. It is also widely recognised as a vital platform through which students may express themselves linguistically and have a greater understanding about modern China.

Open to all students¹ in Singapore’s universities and polytechnics, the Singapore leg of the 9th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition was conducted in 3 stages. The first stage was an online quiz (http://cling.omy.sg/chinese-bridge) on Chinese culture and modern China, conducted from 24 February to 15 April.
¹ Excluding students of Chinese nationality

Contestants with leading scores qualify for the next stage, where they were required to submit videos of their oratorical and talent performance between 22 to 30 April. 10 contestants with the most outstanding entries were selected to enter the third stage of the competition.

At the Singapore finals held on 4 June, the contestants competed against each other in the areas of Chinese culture, artistic talent showcase and speech competition. Guest of Honour for the finals was Ms Ellen Lee, MP for Sembawang GRC.
Two contestants who have emerged as 1st place winners will represent Singapore in the semi and grand finals of the 9th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition held in China (Hunan).

The grand finals of the 9th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition will award 1st to 3rd place winners as well as hand out an award of excellence and selected single-category awards to outstanding participants. Winners will be awarded the title of “Chinese Language Ambassador” and be given a scholarship to study in China and other entitlements.

While in China, participants will also get to experience a specially packaged Chinese culture immersion programme that aims at advancing their learning of the Chinese language.

Every year, the Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition has a central theme; the theme for this year is “Charming Chinese, Splendid EXPO”. Previous themes include “China of the New Century”, “Culturally Vibrant China”, “Ethnically Diverse China”, “China Welcoming the Olympics”, Fun with Chinese, Hope of Success” etc.

For more information, you can also access www.ci-ntu.com and www.businesschina.org.sg/en.

Enclosed:

Programme

Judging panel

• Lim Sau Hoong, CEO/Executive Creative Director, 10 AM Communications Pte Ltd
• Song Ruoyun, Second Secretary, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
• Peh Chong Teck, Senior Instructor, Confucius Institute, NTU
• Ting Kheng Siong, Singapore Association of Writers
• Perng Peck Seng, Chairman Cultural Sub-Committee Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations