Recent Events: Chinese Bridge 2009

The 8th “Chinese Bridge” - Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign University Students 2009 Australian Finals!

On the 16th May 2009, the 8th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign University Students 2009 Australian Finals was held by the Confucius Institute at The University of Western Australia, Perth.

The “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition is an annual international Chinese Mandarin speaking and performance competition organised by the Office of the Chinese Language Council International (‘Hanban’, Beijing). The theme for this year is ‘Fun with Chinese, Hope of Success’.

The competition attracted students from across the country. Through a process of careful selection, nine students from the Australian National University, Queensland University, University of Adelaide and The University of Western Australia were chosen to participate. Each student was required to complete four stages of assessment: a written test on cultural and geographical knowledge of China (in Chinese); a speaking component; a cultural performance (relevant to Chinese culture e.g. singing in Chinese, Tai Chi demonstration, Chinese folk dancing and Chinese poetry recital); and a quiz.

The welcoming ceremony was attended by the Honourable Elizabeth Constable MLA, Minister for Education and Tourism, Mr Richard Strickland, CEO of Department of Education Services, Minister Counsellor Wang Yongda, Consul General Li Shugang, Prof Alan Robson, Vice Chancellor of UWA, Ms Anita Chong, President of the Chinese Language Teachers’ Association of WA, Mr Stuart Meachem, Deputy Principal of Oberthur Primary School, Mr Geoff Davies, Confucius Institute Honourary Fellow and the event sponsors from Sinosteel Australia, Woodside Valley Foundation, Minter Ellison Lawyers, Perth Mint, Australian Chinese Times, Oriental Post/ FM104.6 and the Australian Asia Business Weekly.

During the ceremony, an official welcome was given by Professor Alan Robson, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Western Australia, a welcome speech by Mr Wang Yongda, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Australia and an official opening by the Honourable Elizabeth Constable MLA, Minister for Education and Tourism. The ceremony finished with two cultural performances, a Chinese Fan Dance by students from Oberthur Primary School and a choral performance of the Chinese folk-song Jasmin Flower by The University of Western Australia Winthrop Singers.

Following the ceremony, the participants took to the stage to showcase their Chinese proficiency! Although the speeches were very impressive, it was the cultural performances which stole the attention of the audience, which included: musical performances, joke telling and poetry recital.

After a long deliberation, the judges announced Mr William Sima from the Australian National University as the overall winner with Mr David Shaw and Ms Mary Huntress from the University of Queensland following closely behind. William will be joining other students from across the world in China later in the year to take part in the Grand Finals. We wish him the best of luck!

第八届“汉语桥”世界大学生中文比赛澳大利亚赛区总决赛成功举办

第八届“汉语桥”世界大学生中文比赛澳大利亚赛区总决赛于2009年5月16日（周六）在西澳大学孔子学院成功举办。

“汉语桥” 是由中国国家汉办主办的大型年度国际汉语比赛。今年的比赛主题是“快乐汉语，成就希望”。

为保证比赛顺利进行，西澳大学孔子学院做了大量的前期准备工作，参赛选手也都经过了层层筛选。最后，共有来自阿德莱德大学、昆士兰大学、澳大利亚国立大学和西澳大学的9名选手参加了比赛。比赛的流程由四个环节构成：中文笔试、自由演讲、才艺展现以及现场问答。

西澳教育和旅游部长Elizabeth Constable、教育服务部首席执行官Richard Strickland、中国驻澳大利亚公使衔教育参赞王永达、中国驻佩斯总领事李树钢、西澳大学副校长Alan Robson、西澳汉语教师协会会长Anita Chong、Oberthur小学副校长Stuart Meachem、西澳大学孔子学院荣誉成员Geoff Davies、以及相关赞助商等出席了比赛并致辞。

一段优美地道的扇子舞和一首悠扬经典的《茉莉花》徐徐拉开了比赛的序幕。在历时四个半小时的紧张比赛中，选手们都展示了较好的汉语水平和丰富的中国文化知识。他们风趣的演讲、他们的竖笛演奏、唐诗朗诵、梁祝钢琴弹奏、中国单口相声以及中国流行歌曲演唱等令人叹为观止的表演、他们对中国语言和文化的热爱，时不时地赢得了观众们的欢笑和掌声，真正体现了“快乐汉语，成就希望”的比赛精神。

比赛最终共评选出单项奖若干名。来自澳大利亚国立大学的William Sima夺得桂冠。他将于2009年7月赶赴湖南长沙参加第八届“汉语桥”世界大学生中文比赛的复赛和决赛。来自昆士兰大学的David Shaw和Mary Huntress分别获得二、三等奖。