|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Kenya on Thursday hosted the national finals of the 18th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Language Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students. The event was held at Kenyatta University and attracted 15 participants from various schools across the country.
The competition, which focused on speech delivery and talent showcases, was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Kenya and the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University, with support from several private sector sponsors.
The half-day event brought together diplomats, organization directors, teachers, and students, who were treated to captivating displays of spoken Chinese proficiency, as well as performances in music, dance, and traditional Chinese arts.
The competition’s overall winner was Stacy Rono, a 13-year-old student from Regina Pacis Elimu School in Nakuru.
She captivated the audience with a vibrant dance performance and will represent Kenya at the global finals to be held later in China later this year.
Dr. Salome Nyambura, the Kenyan Director of the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University, said the competition had demonstrated the strength of cultural relations between Kenya and China.
She encouraged all participants to consider themselves winners and take valuable lessons from the event:
“At Confucius Institute, what matters most is learning from this experience. It’s not about who wins or loses—each of you is a winner. And from this competition, reflect on how you can grow your character, improve your skills, and form new friendships through this platform.”
Dr. Nyambura added that mastering the Chinese language will equip Kenyan youth with the ability to thrive in globally competitive environments and place them at the heart of Kenya-China economic and cultural partnerships.
Zhang Zhijong, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, noted that Chinese, spoken by over 1.7 billion people worldwide and one of the six official working languages of the United Nations, has gained significant popularity in Kenya, further deepening bilateral ties.
He urged the participants to let the competition inspire them to be bridge builders between cultures and towards brighter futures:
“Today’s event encourages each of you to pursue your learning journey with passion and the strong belief that, together, we can build bridges—between families and their futures, between nations and hearts.”
