Kenya on Wednesday held the 24th Chinese Bridge-Chinese Proficiency Competition for College Students at the country's oldest university, the University of Nairobi, under the theme of "One World, One Family."
Senior officials, diplomats, industry executives, students and faculty members attended the half-day event that featured speeches and cultural performances, including Beijing opera, dance and calligraphy.
Nineteen finalists drawn from four Confucius Institutes domiciled in Kenya's public universities participated in the contest that comprised two segments -- delivering of speeches in Mandarin (standard Chinese language) and talent shows.
During the speech segment, contestants shared stories of their journeys with the Chinese language and expressed their aspirations for cross-cultural understanding and global harmony through passionate and vivid presentations.
In the talent segment, participants showcased their love for Chinese culture through diverse performances -- some danced in Hanfu (traditional Chinese attire), others wielded calligraphy brushes with flair, while some donned Beijing Opera masks to recite or sing.
The auditorium was packed to capacity, with many spectators standing throughout the event, and cheers and applause erupted repeatedly.
Among the contestants was 25-year-old Catherine Wangari from Moi University, who adopted the Chinese name Wang Menglin. She captivated the audience with a soulful rendition of the Chinese song "Friends," earning thunderous applause.
"I'm intensively studying Chinese now, hoping to work in a hotel after graduation and fluently welcome Chinese tourists," said Wangari, a hospitality management student set to graduate this year. "In recent years, the surge of Chinese visitors to Kenya has created numerous job opportunities and boosted income for the tourism sector."
"I aim to serve Chinese travelers from around the world with polished Mandarin," she said.
Wilma Mwikali Mulwa, a sophomore at Kenyatta University who adores Hanfu culture and prefers to be called Mi Jing, her Chinese name, mesmerized the crowd with a graceful dance performance accompanied by traditional guqin music.
Partnering with another student, Mulwa twirled her long sleeves elegantly, drawing waves of cheers.
She said she hopes to study Chinese in Beijing after graduation and become an actor in Chinese films and TV series.
Despite stumbling over a question due to nerves during the competition, Mulwa remains undeterred: "I'll keep persevering in learning Chinese. The depth and richness of Chinese culture fascinate me endlessly."
After four hours of intense competition and rigorous deliberations by the judges, Naomi Wanjiku Thuo from the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi claimed the championship of this year's "Chinese Bridge" Kenya Division Finals.
With her outstanding Chinese proficiency, profound interpretation of the theme, and exceptional talent performance, Thuo will represent Kenya at the global finals in China.
Five other students were awarded second and third prizes, while additional honors, including the Best Talent Award, Best Charisma Award, Best Eloquence Award, and Rising Star Award, were also presented.
Prior to the competition, a "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship" Award Ceremony was held, during which Guo Haiyan, Chinese ambassador to Kenya, presented scholarships to 30 students from the University of Nairobi.
Margaret Hutchinson, vice-chancellor of the University of Nairobi, said the "Ambassador Scholarship" has enabled numerous students to complete their studies and achieve their career aspirations.
She said the "Chinese Bridge" competition has invigorated enthusiasm for Chinese language learning, elevated proficiency levels, and deepened understanding of China-Kenya cooperation and the China-Africa community of shared destiny through the theme "One World, One Family."
The event has opened doors for students to connect with the East and the global community, Hutchinson noted.
Guo said the scholarship program is a concrete step toward realizing the shared vision of China and Kenya.
"Investing in youth is investing in the future," she said, adding that the scholarships not only support students' dreams and unlock their potential but also serve as a bridge fostering communication between the two nations.
Launched in 2013, the "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship" program included the University of Nairobi as one of its first partner institutions. Over the past 12 years, the Chinese embassy has awarded scholarships to a total of 309 outstanding students from the university.
The competition on Wednesday was hosted by the Chinese embassy, organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, and co-sponsored by the Kenya Overseas Chinese Association.
