GABORONE, June 22 -- Botswana students who won a Chinese proficiency competition recently were invited to the Chinese embassy to Botswana on Monday prior to their departure to China.

The two students, Mogolo Ramalebang and Gaoele Mosimanyane, won the Chinese proficiency competition for foreign college students in the capital city of Gaborone last month. The competition, co- hosted by Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana (CIUB) and University of Botswana (UB), is a preliminary competition of the 14th "Chinese Bridge."

Ramalebang will travel to China and compete in the Chinese Bridge final with Chinese champions from other countries, while Mosimanyane will witness the final.

Chinese Ambassador to Botswana Zheng Zhuqiang said the "Chinese Bridge" is not only a language competition but also a platform for culture exchanges and friendship. He encouraged the two students to share ideas with people in China and to travel in China.

Director of Department of Curriculum Development and Evaluation of Botswana Ndondo Koolese said China and Botswana have establishment of relationship, the two students are lucky to contribute to this relationship.

Ramalebang thanked Chinese for hosting the "Chinese Bridge," which gave her a chance to test and present learning outcomes.

The "Chinese Bridge" is an annual event organized by the Office of Chinese Language Council International with the Chinese Hanban affiliated to the Ministry of Education of China. It has been held for university students of Chinese language and culture around the world since 2002. The competition is made up of local heats held abroad and a world final held each year in China.