On May 23, the 25th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students-Melbourne Preliminary was successfully held at Deakin University.

The event was attended by Consul General Fang Xinwen, Counsellor Ding Li (educational affairs), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) of Deakin University David Halliwell, representatives of the judging panel, members of the media, students and parents, as well as volunteers.

A total of 12 students from five universities participated in the competition, delivering speeches and showcasing talents based on the theme “One World, One Family”.

Consul-General Fang Xinwen noted that over the past 25 years since its establishment, the “Chinese Bridge” competition has become an important platform for young people around the world to learn Chinese, gain a deeper understanding of China, exchange ideas, and foster friendship. He said that language is not only an essential tool for communication, but also an important bridge for mutual understanding and appreciation between different civilizations. The contestants shared their own stories in Chinese and expressed their understanding and passion for Chinese culture, which in itself is highly meaningful. He expressed hope that more young Australians would learn Chinese and help build bridges of connectivity, mutual trust, and mutual learning between China and Australia.

Contestants from The University of Melbourne and Monash University won first and second prizes respectively, and will travel to China to participate in the global finals of the “Chinese Bridge” competition. The event was watched online by more than 6,000 viewers, with nearly 19,900 likes recorded during the livestream.

At the same time, the 2026 “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competitions for Secondary School and Primary School Students were also hosted in Melbourne. Through impressive Chinese language presentations and talent performances, the contestants demonstrated a strong interest in and enthusiasm for Chinese language and culture.