"What a beautiful jasmine flower! What a beautiful jasmine flower!" Emilie Jones, dressed in a black qi pao, or cheongsam, sang a traditional Chinese song at the annual "Chinese Bridge" International Chinese Proficiency Competition held at the University Notre Dame in the U. S. state of Indiana.
Jasmine Flower is a traditional Chinese song dating back to the 18th century, and was played at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008. Emilie, a student from Northwestern University, told Xinhua Saturday that she chose it because she loves folk songs.
"I often practice it in my dorm, as the song is so elegant. I think I can tell audience the story behind the song also, especially by wearing qi pao," she added.
Emilie was among some 50 contestants from 15 universities and colleges of U.S. Midwest who participated in Saturday's Regional of the 14th "Chinese Bridge" International Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students. The winner will go to China for the final.
Jesusislord Nwadiuko, one of more than a dozen contestants in their first year of Chinese language classes, said he wants to improve his Mandarin through the contest.
Jesusislord has visited China's Chengdu, Chongqing and Hong Kong. He said he loves Sichuan cuisine, and has spent as much time as he could talking with families, taxi drivers, and shopkeepers while he was there.
"I just started. This contest gives me a chance to get some ideas about how I can improve it quickly, and opportunity to communicate with students in other universities," Jesusislord told Xinhua.
Another contestant said: "China has long history and fertile culture. What's more, I can have more chances to get a job if I can speak Chinese. I can speak French, Spain, but what makes me feel cool is that I can speak Chinese."
Elizabeth Waring from the Northwestern University emerged from the five-hour contest as winner and will go to China for the final.
The competition was sponsored by the Confucius Institute Headquarters and the Education Office of the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago, and organized by the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures of University of Notre Dame. It included talent shows and speeches at all levels, from beginner to expert.
"I hope this competition will motivate students on how to speak Chinese. I also want our students to learn how other students are studying Chinese, what's their proficiency, what's the difference between our students and those from other universities, so they know which part they could improve," said Professor Yongping Zhu, chairperson of the Notre Dame's Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures.
Jun Liu, China's deputy Consul General in Chicago, highlighted the importance of communication. "Language is the bridge of communication between different peoples. Through learning Chinese, we can deepen the cultural exchange between the U.S. and China and improve the friendship between the two peoples."
