Chinese Bridge, the annual Chinese proficiency competition for foreign college students, has begun with a grand opening ceremony. More than a hundred China-holic foreign students will battle it out, in hope of being crowned the most fluent Chinese speaker.

123 college students are shortlisted here for the final of the competition. They have already completed gruelling rounds of the competition back in their 77 different home countries.

Here rehearsals are underway for the opening ceremony where competitors will get their first chance to showcase their proficiency in Chinese. They must also display a talent of some kind, with many choosing singing and dancing.

Chinese Bridge, the annual Chinese proficiency competition for foreign college students, has begun with a grand opening ceremony.

Launched in 2002, Chinese Bridge has become the most respected stage for foreign students to show their strength in speaking Chinese. "My Chinese Dream", the theme of this year’s competition, has different meanings for the contestants here.

My Chinese dream is to use Chinese to make people happy. Namely, I want to perform crosstalk on the "Chinese Bridge" stage.

I’m from Canada, where Norman Bethune was from. I want to be the Bethune of our time, if given the opportunity.

Learning Chinese for me is a happy thing. I’m very interested in Chinese culture. My dream is to pursue a Masters degree in China after I graduate.

The contestants will compete in sections including speaking Chinese, Chinese culture and knowledge about China, and also their other talent. Winners will achieve the title of "Chinese Language Ambassador" and prizes include scholarships for further study in Chinese colleges.

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