In a vibrant celebration of linguistic talent and cultural diplomacy, the 24th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Egyptian university students concluded Saturday in Cairo. The event, hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Egypt and organized by the Chinese Bridge Club in Cairo, brought together young scholars from across the nation to showcase their command of Mandarin and their deepening engagement with Chinese culture.
The prestigious competition, which has grown into a cornerstone of Sino-Egyptian cultural exchange, comprised three rigorous components: a keynote speech, a knowledge quiz on Chinese society and civilization, and a live talent performance. These elements tested not only the participants’ fluency in Mandarin, but also their ability to creatively interpret and connect with the Chinese cultural ethos.
From a pool of 30 contestants representing 24 universities nationwide, twelve finalists advanced to the concluding round held in Cairo. Their performances demonstrated a remarkable fusion of linguistic dexterity, intellectual curiosity, and cultural sensitivity—qualities that underscored the growing appeal of Chinese language studies among Egyptian youth.
Cairo University emerged as a focal point of excellence, with two of its students taking home top honors. Ola Sherief, a Chinese translation major, was awarded the grand prize, while her university peer, Youssef Ehab, secured the first prize.
Speaking to Xinhua after her win, Sherief reflected on her journey with the Chinese language: “I’ve immersed myself in Chinese cinema, television, and digital platforms to enhance my understanding. Through these cultural windows, I found a genuine passion for not only the language but the values embedded in Chinese society.”
She expressed a heartfelt desire to leverage her skills for greater intercultural dialogue. “I hope to use Chinese as a bridge to contribute to mutual understanding and exchanges between Chinese and Egyptian youth,” she said.
The event’s closing ceremony featured remarks from Liu Jianqing, Deputy Director-General of China’s Center for Language Education and Cooperation. Emphasizing the strategic role of educational and cultural exchange in international relations, Liu noted, “We welcome more Egyptian youth to visit China and become ambassadors of cultural exchange. Through mutual learning, we can promote shared understanding and build a community with a shared future for mankind.”
In recent years, Egypt has made significant strides in integrating Chinese language education into its academic infrastructure. Thirty universities across the country now offer Chinese majors, while 21 public middle schools have introduced Chinese as an elective subject—part of a broader initiative to align educational curricula with global linguistic and economic trends.
The “Chinese Bridge” competition, held annually in countries around the world, has become a critical platform for nurturing global talent and strengthening people-to-people ties. In Cairo, the event was more than a contest—it was a celebration of cross-cultural curiosity, youth empowerment, and the enduring relationship between two of the world’s oldest civilizations.
As the final applause echoed through the auditorium and the winners stood proudly before an enthusiastic audience, the message was clear: language is not merely a tool for communication, but a powerful conduit for diplomacy, empathy, and shared progress.
