Kenya holds Chinese language proficiency contest-Xinhua

Kenya holds Chinese language proficiency contest

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2022-06-25 19:42:28

Contestants take part in the 21st Chinese language proficiency competition for foreign college students in the Kenya Division at the University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 24, 2022. Kenya's largest and oldest university, the University of Nairobi, on Friday held the preliminary round competition of the 21st Chinese proficiency contest for foreign college students. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

NAIROBI, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's largest and oldest university, the University of Nairobi, on Friday held the preliminary round of a Chinese language proficiency contest for foreign college students.

A total of 15 students from Confucius institutes under four Kenyan public universities participated in the contest. Dressed in elegant costumes, the young contestants impressed judges with their proficiency in spoken mandarin, traditional music, dances and martial arts.

Organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, affiliated with the Ministry of Education of China, and the Chinese Embassy in Kenya in partnership with the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, the competition gathered an audience of university and high school students, faculty members and business executives.

Zhao Xiyuan, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, said that the Chinese language proficiency contest provided a platform for fostering China-Kenya cultural ties and friendship, adding that language and culture remain key building blocks of bilateral cooperation.

Stephen Kiama, vice chancellor at the University of Nairobi, said that the Chinese language has gained traction among young Kenyans and would offer more career opportunities.

Hansnick Omondi Otieno from the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi won first prize. He will head to the next round.

 

A contestant has make-up applied ahead of the 21st Chinese language proficiency competition for foreign college students in the Kenya Division at the University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 24, 2022. Kenya's largest and oldest university, the University of Nairobi, on Friday held the preliminary round competition of the 21st Chinese proficiency contest for foreign college students. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

A contestant takes part in the 21st Chinese language proficiency competition for foreign college students in the Kenya Division at the University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 24, 2022. Kenya's largest and oldest university, the University of Nairobi, on Friday held the preliminary round competition of the 21st Chinese proficiency contest for foreign college students. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

A contestant takes part in the 21st Chinese language proficiency competition for foreign college students in the Kenya Division at the University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 24, 2022. Kenya's largest and oldest university, the University of Nairobi, on Friday held the preliminary round competition of the 21st Chinese proficiency contest for foreign college students. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

A contestant takes part in the 21st Chinese language proficiency competition for foreign college students in the Kenya Division at the University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 24, 2022. Kenya's largest and oldest university, the University of Nairobi, on Friday held the preliminary round competition of the 21st Chinese proficiency contest for foreign college students. (Xinhua/Long Lei)