Chinese Bridge competition draws global participants to Fujian

The 25th Chinese Bridge-Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students and its summer camp opened on Aug 8 in Pingtan county, Fujian province, bringing together 157 contestants from 137 countries.

Liu Jianqing, deputy director-general of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, said at the opening ceremony that 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the Chinese Bridge program, which has connected Chinese language learners worldwide. He encouraged participants to improve their Chinese, make friends through exchanges, and share their experiences with others.

Chen Xunming, deputy director of the administrative committee of the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone, said that Pingtan would leverage its role as a bridge between China and the world, using cultural resources including the Keqiutou archaeological site group and underwater archaeological sites to promote cultural exchanges among young people.

The contestants visited Pingtan's Taiwan Town on Aug 9, where they tried shell carving, a local intangible cultural heritage craft with a centuries-old history. Botswana contestant Sharon Khumomotse, known by her Chinese name Kong Fengmei, created the Chinese character he (harmony) by piecing together shell fragments.

"He represents harmony and peace," she said. "The Chinese Bridge contestants come from five continents. Although we are different, we can all share the spirit of harmony."