Feature: A Turkish student's dream to experience Chinese culture

For Melda Hilal Orcan, defeating other Turkish college students in a Chinese-language proficiency competition is just the first step in realizing her dreams about China.

A sophomore from Ankara University majoring in Chinese study, Orcan dreams of joining a Chinese family during China's traditional Spring Festival period in making dumplings, watching the festival gala on the state TV and receiving gift money.

She also values the long-held tradition of Chinese returning to their hometown during the annual Spring Festival holiday season for family reunion.

However, that is not all that she cherishes about China, according to her speech in Chinese delivered before a packed audience Saturday at the Istanbul Aydin University.

The Turkish college student, who later became the winner of the Chinese language contest, has been learning the language for years and even has a Chinese name for herself.

In her speech, Orcan shared with the audience as to why she chose to learn Chinese. "China has a richer culture, much longer history and a more colorful language than many other countries."

Her other dreams about China also include a cross-China trip and making friends with those from the country's 56 ethnic groups. She also hopes to learn Chinese songs and participate in Chinese music shows.

Orcan also dreams of becoming a tour guide in China, but her immediate wish is to travel to Beijing to have a taste of its signature dish -- Peking Duck.

After winning out in the Chinese language contest in Turkey, Orcan is now qualified for joining those from other parts of the world for the 15th "Chinese Bridge" final competition later this year in China.

Like Orcan, the other 18 contesters all have their own dreams about China. One contestant hopes to learn Chinese in China and open a kindergarten in Turkey to teach children to learn the language. Another says he would like to be a voice actor for Chinese cartoons so as to help Turkish kids know more about China.

Learning the Chinese language has become increasingly popular in Turkey. At present, ten Turkish universities are offering courses on China and the Chinese language, and outside universities there are also Chinese language teaching programs.

Among the audience of Saturday's competition, there are some high school students who have been learning Chinese. Esen Gizer, a teacher from the State-owned Prince Islands High School, said the Chinese language is a compulsory subject for her school.

"Every year four or five students from our school go to Chinese universities," she said.

Although the overall China-Turkey relations are at the best shape ever, people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have lagged behind, said Chinese consul general Gu Jingqi.

He encouraged the Chinese and Turks to learn each other's language so as to promote mutual understanding, as language learning helps one to know about another country's culture, tradition and custom.

Just before the Chinese Bridge competition on Saturday, the Chinese diplomat donated hundreds of books to Aydin University and inaugurated a Chinese section in the university library.

The university set up a China Study Center in February, the first of its kind in Turkey.

Addressing the ceremony, Mustafa Aydin, founder of Aydin University, said China and Turkey are two giant civilizations along the ancient Silk Road.

"The two countries have shared many similarities and I believe they will jointly secure economic, social and political peace in Eurasia," he added. Endi