Confucius Institute at USP Holds 19th Online ‘Chinese Bridge’ Competition
Mr Yang is the chief executive officer of Chinese Media Fiji Limited. He is a visiting Professor of Liaocheng University and is the Permanent Secretary of South Pacific Island Countries Institute of Asia Studies
Dean of Faculty of Arts, Law and Education Akanisi Kedrayate with first prize winner Sharon Levula and second prize winner Yashna Nand.
in Fiji.
It was co-organised by the Confucius Institute at the University of the South Pacific (CI-USP) and was rounded off online in beautiful Suva.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s ‘Chinese Bridge’ competition could not be conducted on stage.
The organising committee decided to select the candidates by an online Q&A session and video submissions. Eight candidates participated in the competition.
The competition was divided into three parts: Q&A, speech and talent display.
On May 14, the organising committee used ZOOM to connect the eight candidates from the Laucala and Lautoka Campuses.
The organising committee arranged the question numbers, and the candidates chose one question number to answer.
The questions in the Q&A session covered China’s national conditions, Fijian culture, and cross-cultural communication.
Candidates took the time to show their extensive knowledge reserves. Speech and talent display were recorded by candidates and submitted to the committee.
The CI-USP also warmly helped candidates who did not have suitable equipment to record the videos. As of May 18, all the videos had been submitted to the organising committee and judges.
The candidates recorded their speeches on the theme; ‘One World, One Family’.
Although their speeches were not conducted on the spot, we still felt the enthusiasm that was not inferior to the stage performances through the videos.
Every candidate recounted their Chinese language learning story and their fortunes with the Chinese language they learned. The talent performance from the candidates were also various and splendid. The dance “Dunhuang” from candidate number six sublimed the scene of the melodious camel bells jingling from the caravan passing through the desert, the Dai dance from candidate number seven was unique and savoury, and the Tai Chi fan show from candidate number eight was packed to the brim with the heroic spirit.
Their songs were touching and their dances were attractive.
In the end, Sharon Levula won the first prize, she will represent the Fiji Division in the 19th ‘Chinese Bridge’ Competition in China; Yashna Nand won the second prize and gained the opportunity to go to China to observe the 19th ‘Chinese Bridge’ Competition.
Dean of Faculty of Arts, Law and Education USP, Dr Akanisi Kedrayate issued the certificates and prizes to the Champion and Second Prize Winner.
The ‘Chinese Bridge’ builds a bridge for the youth Chinese learners around the world to communicate with Chinese culture. CI-USP also undertakes the responsibility of promoting the benign cultural intersection between China and Fiji.
CI-USP has undertaken the ‘Chinese Bridge’ competition seven times.
The undertaking of the “Chinese Bridge” not only provided Chinese language learners in Fiji with a platform to demonstrate their own Chinese learning achievements, but also to build a bridge for indepth cultural exchange between the young generation of China and Fiji.