Chinese-language learners from 106 countries set to gather in Tianjin

Hundreds of young Chinese‑language learners from 106 countries will gather in Tianjin next month for two global Chinese‑language competitions under the Chinese Bridge brand.

Scheduled from Sept 8 to 22, the 19th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students and the 6th Chinese Bridge Chinese Show for Foreign Primary School Students Summer Camp will bring together 417 young contestants, alongside their guardians and teachers, for cross‑cultural exchanges centered on the Chinese language.

The Chinese Bridge program is celebrating its 25th year.

Organizers have designed different competitions for each age group: secondary‑school participants will compete through four assessment rounds testing language competence and cultural awareness, whereas primary‑school contestants will focus on oral Chinese and talent shows.

Beyond the competitions, participants will take study tours covering cultural landmarks, including Huangyaguan Great Wall and Yangliuqing Ancient Town, as well as science‑and‑technology venues. They will also visit local schools and Chinese families, and join a Mid‑Autumn poetry gathering.

"Twenty‑five years of building bridges and nurturing dreams have brought countless young people together across borders," said Zhong Yinghua, president of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching. He noted the rising global trend of younger Chinese‑language learners and outlined expectations for the event to improve age‑specific tasks, leverage short‑video content created by contestants, and share Tianjin‑originating practices for Chinese‑language education worldwide.

"Instead of reading about China from textbooks, [these students] get to experience the country in person across Tianjin's streets and sites," said Zhang Tao, director of the Tianjin Education Commission.

Gong Jinlong, president of Tianjin Normal University, said the institution plans to deploy virtual AI hosts to link outdoor field trips with in‑venue contests. Supported by Tianjin's cultural heritage and resources for Chinese‑language education, the activities aim to set a replicable model for youth‑oriented people‑to‑people exchanges.

Liu Jiayi contributed to this story.