Putting in a good word for culture

Latest Chinese Bridge competition showcases skills of young foreign participants, Xu Lin reports.

Some foreigners, who are fluent in Mandarin, might also sing popular Chinese songs, recite old poems, play traditional instruments and be able to identify the meaning of the same Chinese word in different contexts.

Such scenes are commonly seen during Chinese Bridge, a Chinese-speaking and performance competition, which is open only to foreign participants. The program was launched in 2002 by Confucius Institute Headquarters, with the aim of promoting Chinese language and culture in the world.

The annual gala was recently broadcast on Beijing Radio and Television Station. The competition includes Chinese proficiency for foreign college students and secondary school students, and a Chinese show for foreign primary school students.

During the Chinese show, 10-year-old Zoey Alexandra Cardamone, who's from the United States, read aloud a Tang Dynasty (618-907) poem, sang a song and performed in Chinese a classic scene from William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet.