Chinese proficiency contest held in Latvia

A student shows a papercut work during the 16th Chinese Bridge Chinese proficiency contest in University of Latvia in Riga, Latvia, on April 13, 2019. The 16th Chinese Bridge, an annual Chinese proficiency contest for school kids, college students and adult learners of Chinese, was held at the University of Latvia Friday and Saturday. (Xinhua/Janis)

RIGA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The 16th Chinese Bridge, an annual Chinese proficiency contest for school kids, college students and adult learners of Chinese, was held at the University of Latvia Friday and Saturday.

This year's competition, themed One World, One Family, gathered 64 contestants in total in Latvia, including 14 in the adult group, 24 in the high school group and 24 in the primary school group.

The contestants were required to demonstrate their Chinese language skills by introducing themselves and making speeches on various topics in Chinese, participate in a quiz on Chinese culture and perform in a talent show.

Each division, namely college students, high school students and primary school students, has three groups of senior, intermediate and junior.

Some of the winners will represent Latvia in the 2019 Chinese Bridge competition for universities and middle school students in China where they will compete with Chinese language learners from all over the world.

Latvia has made remarkable progress in teaching and learning Chinese in recent years, with the successful 16th Chinese Bridge competition taking the promotion of the Chinese language and culture to an even higher level in Latvia and strengthening cultural ties between the two countries even more.

The 16th "Chinese Bridge", was organized by Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia in cooperation with various education institutions in Latvia.