The annual Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students, also known as "Chinese Bridge" Competition, which is sponsored by the China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (NOCFL), has closed.

The semi-final competition was held in Shanghai from December 15 to 16. All the contestants came to Beijing and 16 of them entered the final.

The final competition was held on December 21 in Starlight Television Studio in Beijing .

Eight linguistic experts, including Su Shuyang, a famous writer and tutor in China, and Ding Guangquan, a famous xiangsheng (cross-talk) actor, were invited as members of the review committee.

Every contestant delivered a short speech of two minutes and answered some questions on China's policy, culture, law, economy and other information. The competition atmosphere was ardent. All the contestants showed their highest level and moved the audiences.

An English girl Heather Inwood, who's from Cambridge University, made a speech entitled, "If I were the next premier of China, how would I promote bilateral culture exchange?" When she raised the assumption of "Exchange Beckham and Fan Zhiyi for one year", there was spontaneous warm applause and laughter.

Singaporean girl Chin Kah Ying, who's of Chinese origin, told a story of how her mother taught her Chinese and of her happiness and difficulties in learning the language. Her speech moved the audience also.

Many contestants also performed interesting programs. American boy Zachary Christopher Brown performed a selected passage from Sha Jia Bang, a famous Peking Opera. He performed all three parts in the opera. His brilliant performance amazed and amused everyone present.

Heather Inwood, the English girl, performed the song "I can't understand", composed by herself and expressed her difficult way in studying Chinese.

At last three top winners, five second prizes and eight third prizes were selected. The three top winners were Singaporean Chin Kah Ying, a Japanese girl, Takahashi Noriaki and a Belgium boy, Arnaud G.H.M De Schaetzen. They won the title of "Chinese Language Envoy" and scholarships up to doctoral degree level including travel expenses.

All the contestants hugged each other in front of the lights and some couldn't help crying.

Tan Yee Ning, who's one of the top three winners from last year and plans to come to study in China next year, said, this year's contest made great progress compared to the last one, no matter in number or quality of contestants. The most remarkable advancement was the emulation. She went on to say that the future of the competition was easy to see -- it'll be the most important competition for foreigners to select real Chinese talent. The competition should go on, and one day it will play an important role in popularizing Chinese language all over the world.

The honoring ceremony was held on December 22 in the Great Hall of the People. State Councilor Chen Zhili made a speech and awarded the winners in person.

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Chen Lin, December 23, 2003)