PHNOM PENH, May 22-- The Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia on Friday organized the eighth Chinese Bridge Chinese proficiency competition for Cambodian secondary school students.

Thirteen candidates, including eight females, who had been shortlisted from dozens of students, were contested in the final stage at the Asia-Euro University.

Each contestant was provided a three-minute talk on the topic " My Chinese Dream" in combination with their own understanding of Chinese culture, and they were also required to show their talents in mastering Chinese music and arts for another three minutes.

A top prize was awarded to Lay Monyreach, a male student at the Duan Hua Chinese School.

Chea Monirith, director of the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the winner will be sent to China to join an annual Chinese proficiency competition with other candidates from different countries around the world later this year.

Touch Visalsok, undersecretary of state of the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, said the Chinese Bridge is essential to encourage Cambodian students to study Chinese for a chance to visit China.

"In Cambodia, more and more youths have chosen to learn Chinese because there are a lot of job opportunities here," he said.

He also praised the Confucius Institute for its efforts in helping promote Cambodia-China ties through the education of language and culture.

The event was sponsored by the Chinese Embassy to Cambodia.

Tan Qingsheng, political councilor of the Chinese Embassy to Cambodia, said Chinese is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

"More and more people have studied and used Chinese language thanks to broader relations and cooperation between China and the world, particularly in economics," he said.

Meanwhile, he encouraged Cambodian students to study Chinese in order to continue maintaining and expanding friendly relations between the two countries.

According to Tan, China provides about 260 scholarships to Cambodian students every year.