Learn Chinese, see China, and feel the "Chinese fever" in Russia

Moscow, 4 April (ZXS) -- Topic: Learning Chinese, Looking at China, and Feeling the "Chinese Language Fever" in Russia

China News Agency reporter Tian Bing

On April 4, after fierce competition, the 23 "Chinese Bridge" All-Russian Middle School Students Competition Moscow Division Selection Competition came to an end.

In the past few days, on the occasion of the United Nations Chinese Day and World Book Day, the 2023 All-Russian "Chinese Bridge" University Student Chinese Competition, Secondary School Student Chinese Competition, Primary School Student Chinese Show, "International Chinese Day" and other activities have come to the scene, reflecting the thriving exchanges and cooperation between China and Russia in the fields of humanities and education.

Contestant in the Moscow Division of the 12th All-Russian "Chinese Bridge" University Student Chinese Competition. Photo by Zhang Hongli

Chinese Bridge and Chinese Day are exciting

On the 21st, in the Moscow Division Selection Competition of the 6th All-Russian "Chinese Bridge" University Student Chinese Competition, 13 players from 20 regions and <> universities in Russia competed on the same stage. Maria Aleksandra of Volgograd State Social Pedagogical University and Sofia Leonidevna of the Business School of the President of the Russian Presidential University tied for first place through the keynote speech of "One Family in the World", the Chinese talent exhibition and the impromptu speech. The successful players will form a Moscow team to participate in the final of the <>nd "Chinese Bridge" World University Chinese Competition in Russia and the <>th All-Russian University Chinese Competition.

On the same day, the 2023 "International Chinese Day" event co-sponsored by Shans International Publishing and Media Group was held in Moscow, with the theme of "Chinese: Promoting Dialogue among World Civilizations", and a number of scholars shared their experiences and stories of Chinese and Russian language and cultural exchanges and mutual learning. The Confucius Institute of Moscow State Linguistic University held the "International Chinese Day" activities at the affiliated secondary school of the university, calligraphy, woodblock printing, chess, paper cutting... The immersive Chinese cultural experience activities attracted the active participation of teachers and students. On the same day, an activity themed "Reading Chinese Literature" was also held in St. Petersburg.

On the 22nd, the Moscow Division of the 548rd "Chinese Bridge" All-Russian Primary School Students Chinese Show Competition was held in Moscow No. <> School. Students from many primary schools in Moscow and the surrounding area selected the winners through Chinese self-introduction, picture talking, talent show and other links under the theme of "Happy Chinese".

Enthusiasm for studying Chinese and seeing China is high

At the scene of the primary school students' Chinese show competition, the reporter found an interesting phenomenon, many players not only brought relatives and friends to cheer, but also many came "in groups" from the school, and some even teachers personally led the team to "press the team". Regardless of the performance of the contestants, the audience will applaud and encourage.

The father of a contestant took the initiative to use Chinese to tell reporters that the family originally wanted their children to learn Chinese, but in the process of urging their children to learn, they were "accidentally" also deeply attracted and now they have become "classmates" with their daughter.

Anna Kukina, who won the "Chinese Bridge" World University Student Chinese Competition, shared her learning Chinese journey with students and parents on the spot. She said that as more and more Russians participate in the "Chinese Bridge" competition, they can build a bridge of culture, a bridge of hearts and a bridge of harmony between the people of the two countries. Today, Anna runs a sinology knowledge network school in Russia and is one of the "Internet celebrity" bloggers who introduce Chinese culture in Russia. Today, one of her twin daughters also followed in their mother's footsteps and stepped onto the "Chinese Bridge" arena.

In recent years, a number of Russian primary and secondary schools have introduced Chinese courses, Chinese have been included in the foreign language subjects of the Russian Unified State Examination. At present, there are more than 9,1 primary and secondary school students and more than 2,2 university students studying in Russia Chinese.

Contestants in the Moscow Division of the 3rd "Chinese Bridge" All-Russian Primary School Chinese Show Competition. Photo by reporter Tian Bing

Chinese fever and Russian fever are in the ascendant

Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui said at the "International Chinese Day" theme event that with the further deepening of Sino-Russian relations, the enthusiasm of the two peoples to learn Chinese and Russian continues to rise. Strengthening the study of Chinese and Russian will greatly promote mutual understanding between the two peoples, consolidate friendship and enhance exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations. With the deepening of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between China and Russia in the new era, the Chinese language fever and Russian language fever are in the ascendant in China and Russia, and the education and cultural workers of the two countries are undertaking the important task of promoting cultural integration and people-to-people bonds, and cultivating more successors for Sino-Russian friendship.

Cao Shihai, Minister Counsellor of the Education Department of the Chinese Embassy in Russia, said that the Chinese and Russian governments attach great importance to language education cooperation, and various Chinese and Russian language education institutions are an important platform for cooperation between the two countries in the field of Chinese and Russian language research. He encouraged the young students to continue to forge ahead and make their own contributions to promoting people-to-people ties between the two peoples, inheriting and developing China-Russia friendship, and promoting high-level pragmatic cooperation between China and Russia in various fields.

Group photo of outstanding contestants, judges and guests at the award ceremony of the Moscow Division Selection Competition of the 12th All-Russian "Chinese Bridge" University Student Chinese Competition. Photo by Zhang Rui

Zhao Zhongxiu, president of the University of International Business and Economics, said in a video speech that language, as a carrier of culture and a bridge for people-to-people exchanges, plays an important role. More and more people in Russia are starting to study Chinese, and Chinese has become one of the most popular language courses. The "Chinese Bridge" has become an important platform for students from all over the world to learn about China Chinese.

Pavlenko, first vice-chancellor of Russian State University for the Humanities, said that the university has always been committed to multicultural development, and the "Chinese Bridge" competition hosted by the Confucius Institute will definitely promote Russian Chinese learners to have a deeper understanding of China and Chinese culture.

Zhang Rui, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at Russian State University for the Humanities, said that he believes that this competition will further stimulate the enthusiasm of Russian students to learn Chinese and promote the vigorous development of Russian Chinese education. (End)