From May 23 to 24, the Northeast China Preliminary Round of the 2026 “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreigners — Storytelling Contest was held at the Chongshan Campus of Liaoning University. Hosted by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education, the competition aims to provide a high-quality platform for young people from China and abroad to communicate through the Chinese language and deepen mutual learning among civilizations.
The School of International Education of Dalian University of Technology actively organized and selected outstanding international students to participate in the competition. With solid Chinese language skills, personal study experiences in China, and deep cultural understanding, DUT international students vividly shared sincere and inspiring stories about China. Their performances fully demonstrated DUT’s achievements in international student education and the enterprising spirit of its international students.
This year’s Northeast Preliminary Round brought together 132 international students from 46 countries and 34 universities in Northeast China. Contestants delivered speeches on a wide range of topics, including Chinese culture, their experiences of studying and living in China, and friendship and exchanges between China and other countries. To help DUT students perform at their best, SIE attached great importance to the competition and made careful preparations in advance. Chinese language teachers from the school provided one-on-one guidance, helping the contestants present themselves on stage with confidence and composure.
The competition was full of highlights and enthusiasm. Three international students from DUT, each from a different country, demonstrated their strengths and interpreted Chinese culture from unique cross-cultural perspectives. Their speeches were original in theme, clear in expression, and impressive in delivery.
Lika, a student from Russia, shared her personal journey of learning Chinese. She talked about how Chinese language learning helped her pursue her dreams and broaden her horizons. In her speech, she recalled humorous moments from the early stages of learning Chinese, as well as her perseverance in studying the language day after day. As her Chinese proficiency improved, she not only achieved personal breakthroughs but also gained a closer understanding of the warmth and inclusiveness of Chinese society. For Lika, Chinese has become more than a language tool; it is a key to expanding her worldview, reflecting on the future, and unlocking new opportunities in life. After the competition, she said that language is a magical key to understanding the world. She hopes to use her bilingual strengths to build a bridge of communication and share authentic, multidimensional stories of China with more young people in Russia.
Meng Xianmei, a student from Myanmar, focused on the distinctive charm of Jiangnan culture. Although she has never lived in Jiangnan for a long period, she has always been fascinated by its cultural heritage. Through classical poetry and Chinese literary works, she explored the profound beauty of Jiangnan culture. The misty scenery, gentle water towns, and inclusive cultural spirit deeply attracted her. Through her immersive and heartfelt narration, she enabled the audience to appreciate the unique charm of regional Chinese culture and demonstrated the strong appeal of Chinese civilization. Speaking about her experience, Meng Xianmei said that, unlike standardized knowledge in textbooks, the preparation process allowed her to develop a more delicate and personal understanding of Chinese culture. With Myanmar and China connected by mountains, rivers, and cultural ties, she hopes to use Jiangnan culture as a starting point to discover more cultural resonance between the two countries and bring young people from both sides closer together.
Xu Aiping, a student from Indonesia, chose Chinese traditional sword dance as the theme of her speech and creatively shared her special connection with traditional Chinese martial arts culture. She described the shock and admiration she felt when she first watched a sword dance performance, as well as the challenges she encountered when she began to practice it herself. Through continuous practice, she came to understand the unique beauty of sword dance, which combines strength and grace, martial spirit and artistic elegance. She also gained a deeper appreciation of the resilience, dignity, refinement, and inclusiveness embodied in Chinese culture. Her fresh choice of topic, sincere passion, and engaging storytelling won rounds of applause from the audience. After the competition, Xu Aiping said that sword dance helped her understand the Chinese concept of balance and the wisdom passed down through traditional culture. To her, sword dance is not only a physical art, but also a source of spiritual nourishment. The distinctive character and poetic charm of Chinese culture have become something she deeply cherishes.
In the end, DUT contestants Xu Aiping and Meng Xianmei won the Stage Presence Award for their steady and outstanding performances. Participation in the “Chinese Bridge” competition not only showcased the Chinese language proficiency and cultural literacy of DUT’s international students, but also reflected the university’s continuous efforts to cultivate international talents and promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.
For more than 70 years, Dalian University of Technology has upheld language as a bond and culture as a core element in international education. Through diverse exchange programs and cultural experience activities, the university has guided international students to better understand and love China, encouraging them to become communicators of Chinese culture and contributors to friendship between China and the world.
Competing with international students from different countries and universities was also a valuable learning experience for DUT contestants. The competition was not only a test of Chinese proficiency and cultural understanding, but also an opportunity for mutual learning and exchange. Through observation and communication, DUT students broadened their horizons, encountered diverse storytelling perspectives and forms of expression, and gained a clearer understanding of both their strengths and areas for improvement. Facing the challenges of the stage also helped them strengthen their adaptability and public speaking skills, enabling each participant to gain experience and achieve personal growth in a high-level competition.
Looking ahead, Dalian University of Technology will continue to rely on richer cultural exchange platforms to further improve its international student education system and expand practical education opportunities. The university will encourage more international students to draw on their study experiences and cultural insights in China, tell vivid Chinese stories in fluent Chinese, convey the warmth of China, deepen international exchanges, and enhance friendship among young people from different countries, thereby giving greater depth and substance to mutual learning among civilizations.
