Paris Cité Confucius Institute Dominates 24th 'Chinese Bridge' Competition in France

Paris, France - Ekhbary News Agency

Paris Cité Confucius Institute Crowned Champions at the 24th 'Chinese Bridge' French Finals

Paris, France witnessed the grand finale of the 24th 'Chinese Bridge' Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students (France regional final) from May 30 to 31. This prestigious event, hosted by the Chinese Embassy in France and organized by the Europe Times Cultural Media Group, culminated in a triumphant victory for the Confucius Institute at Paris Cité University. Their student, Mael Mohamed, secured the coveted first prize, while his peer, Nicolas Mesa, earned a commendable third place, collectively highlighting the institute's exceptional pedagogical standards and its significant role in promoting Chinese language and culture.

The competition's closing ceremony was graced by prominent diplomatic figures, including Chen Li, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in France, and Zhou Jiagui, Education Counselor, who presented awards to the deserving winners. The 'Chinese Bridge' competition serves as a vital global platform for fostering cross-cultural understanding and deepening ties between China and the international community. This year's French regional final attracted 14 contestants from nine esteemed French institutions, including the Confucius Institute at Paris Cité University, the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO), NEOMA Business School, and the Pau Confucius Institute, reflecting the growing interest in Chinese language and culture within French academic circles.

Mael Mohamed's performance, representing the Paris Cité Confucius Institute, was particularly remarkable. He garnered unanimous praise from the judges for his impeccable Chinese pronunciation and captivating, humorous style. His artistic presentation, featuring a traditional Chinese comedic 'Kuai Ban' (clapper talk) performance titled 'Mael Loves China,' demonstrated a unique blend of linguistic precision and cultural charm. Mohamed attributed his refined skills and enriched language learning journey to his experience as an exchange student at Wuhan University in 2023, where he spent a year immersed in Chinese studies.

Equally impressive was the contribution of Nicolas Mesa, Mael's fellow student from the same institute. Nicolas delivered a powerful and resonant speech on the theme of 'World Peace, One Family,' advocating for contemporary youth to collaborate in building pathways to global peace. He further captivated the audience with an innovative musical performance, a rock-style bass rendition adapted from the ancient Chinese poem 'Qing Yu An · Yuan Xi,' which brought a modern twist to traditional Chinese culture and earned him enthusiastic applause.

These achievements underscore the effective educational strategy employed by the Confucius Institute at Paris Cité University, which adheres to the principle of 'promoting teaching through competition and promoting learning through competition.' According to reports, the institute meticulously selects and trains talented students for this competition annually. This year, Liu Ping, the Chinese Director of the institute, personally led a dedicated team of three highly experienced teachers—Niu Li, Liu Lini, and Li Ye—to provide intensive coaching to Mael and Nicolas, who were chosen from over 400 students. Their specialized guidance significantly accelerated the students' linguistic and performance capabilities in a short period.

The consistent success of the Confucius Institute at Paris Cité University, having secured the French regional championship in 2022, 2023, and the current 24th edition (2024), not only demonstrates its exceptional educational standards but also significantly enhances its brand image and influence as a leading center for Chinese language and culture education in Europe. These victories contribute substantially to building bridges of understanding and friendship between France and China, inspiring more French youth to explore the rich world of Chinese language and culture.

Ekhbary News Agency