“The Chinese Language Bridge Competition can bring the two peoples of Bangladesh and China closer together and contribute as a language bridge to boost bilateral cooperation,” said Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen. He also emphasised the need to build a Chinese-speaking Bangladeshi youth group, so that they can act as China’s window to Bangladesh and Bangladesh’s window to China.

Ambassador Yao said this in his address as the Chief Guest at a lively event titled “The 23rd Chinese Language Bridge – Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students, Bangladesh Qualifier Round” held at the BCS Administration Academy Auditorium in Dhaka. Shanto-Mariam-Honghe Confucius Classroom organised the Chinese Language Bridge under the joint auspices of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh and the Center for Languages Exchange and Education of the Chinese Ministry of Education. The Bangladesh preliminary of the event was co-organised by the Confucius Institutes at Dhaka University and North South University, and the China Power Construction Corporation.

Shanto-Mariam University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Md Shah-E-Alam; Rector of BCS Administration Academy Dr Md Omar Faruque; Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy Li Shaopeng; Power China representative Han Kun; Dhaka Bureau Chiefs of China Media Group and Xinhua News, and Bangladeshi and Chinese faculty representatives from Dhaka University, North South University, and Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology were present at the event among others.

In the welcome speech, Prof. Shah-E-Alam said that the future of Bangladesh-China relations will be accelerated by the youths of both the countries practicing their own languages. The development of the bilateral relations requires increasing number of Bangladeshi youths being good at Chinese and understanding of China. He expressed the hope that the “Chinese Bridge” can continue to be a bridge of friendship, communication, and cooperation between the two peoples.

The Rector (Secretary) of BCS Administration Academy said in his speech that Padma Bridge, Karnaphuli Tunnel, Payra Power Plant, and other milestone mega projects have been completed in Bangladesh with the direct cooperation of China. Chinese language education is very important to enhance cooperation and exchanges in multifaceted sectors including education, technology and training between the two countries, and Chinese language training courses have recently been launched at the academy as well.

Bushra Mebasswera Mahmud won the title in a fierce competition. Shan Jaareen was second and Aminatun Tayyiba was third. The champion of the Bangladesh phase will later travel to China for the international trophy and the second prize winner will be there as a spectator. Apart from this, the next four will be sent to a free summer camp in China. The ambassador also promised to give special privileges to the other three contestants.

“Chinese Bridge” is a major international Chinese language testing competition for the overseas Chinese language students, organised by the Center for Languages Exchange and Education of the Chinese Ministry of Education. The competition has two stages: preliminary competitions held in different countries, and the finals held in China.