Feature: Young Bangladeshi students showcase language skills in Chinese Bridge contest

For Mihantsa Ferwando, who comes from Madagascar but now lives in Dhaka, it has always been her dream to visit China and become fluent in the Chinese language.

And this is the reason why she joined the Chinese Bridge competition held on the weekend in this capital city.

"I have been studying the Chinese language for about a month. Through this competition, I hope I can improve my Chinese language proficiency," Ferwanda said.

She said even if she failed to win in the competition, she would join the next one and continue to strive to learn Chinese.

Like Ferwando, many other Bangladeshis and foreigners here showed their eagerness to taking part in the competition.

"I like Chinese. I want to be fluent in Chinese. China is very good country," said Tasmin Oji, another contestant.

Unfortunately for Oji and Ferwanda, they were not among the lucky winners in the competition that had 11 contestants, representing a number of educational institutes. The contestants competed in three segments featuring free speeches about "My Chinese dream", Q&As, and artistic performances.

Zobida Tasneem Dewan and Jannath Arahera from Dhaka's leading Shanto-Mariam Confucius Class Room won the first and second prize respectively.

The Chinese embassy here conducted the contest in order to select two youngsters to represent Bangladesh at final Chinese Bridge competition to be held in Beijing later this year.

The Chinese Bridge is an international Chinese culture and language proficiency program where Chinese language and culture students from institutions worldwide compete in various categories.

The Dhaka contest was hosted by the Confucius Institute at North South University with the sponsorship of Oppo Bangladesh, a Chinese company.

Some of those who gathered on the campus of the university were participants of the Chinese Bridge competition while the others were there just to cheer their friends.

Sarwar Omar, a contestant, said, "I feel great that Chinese proficiency competition is being held in my country. It's a big opportunity to me and I love to participate."

The contestants delivered short speeches with voices full of emotions. The contestants also read poems and sing Chinese songs.

The two winners in the just-concluded competition will visit China and may have the opportunity to represent Bangladesh at the final competition to be held in Beijing later this year.

"I'm so glad to win the competition. I went to China when I was little. I have studied there and learnt Chinese," said Zobida.

"I am indeed very happy to join the competition. I am also very happy to see that all the participants know the Chinese language. Hope they will do well in future," said Ma Yan, Chinese Director at the Confucius Institute at North South University. Endi