UCC Confucius Institute Hosts Irish Finals of the 18th ‘Chinese Bridge’ Competition for Secondary School Students

3 May 2025

The Confucius Institute at University College Cork (UCC) successfully hosted the Ireland Final of the 18th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Secondary School Students on May 3rd, 2025, at the Kingsley Hotel in Cork.

The competition, themed "Dreaming of Chinese, Living up to Youth," aimed to provide a platform for Irish secondary school students to showcase their Chinese language skills, share their learning experiences, and deepen their understanding of Chinese culture. It also served to inspire these young individuals to pursue their "Chinese dreams" and contribute to future cultural exchange and friendship between China and Ireland.

The event was honored by the presence of distinguished guests, including:

• Cllr. Dan Boyle, Mayor of Cork  
• Cllr. Ann Marie Ahern, Deputy County Mayor  
• Ms. Xikun ZHU, First Secretary, Education Affairs, Embassy of China  
• Ms. Yaodan HU, Second Secretary, Cultural Section, Embassy of China  

• Lee Wah Pay, Enterprise Executive, Economic Development & Strategic Planning Directorate, Cork County Council
• Jiangnan XIE, Chinese Director, UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland

• Mr. Ren LI, Chinese Director, Confucius Institute of Chinese and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Galway 

The judging panel comprised esteemed scholars and Chinese language education experts from various Irish universities and Confucius Institutes, including:

• Li Ping, South East Technological University  
• Zhao Yue, Confucius Institute of Chinese and Regenerative Medicine at University of Galway  
• Hu Mengwen, UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland  
• Ma Xiaoling, UCC Confucius Institute  
• Zheng Borui, UCC Confucius Institute

Nearly one hundred attendees, including 40 contestants, their families, teachers, local Chinese community members, and UCC Confucius Institute faculty, gathered for the cultural event.

The competition was jointly hosted by Angie Baily and Sun Bo from the Tralee Chinese teaching site, along with Zheng Xiaohan and Zhu Xiquan, volunteer teachers from the UCC Confucius Institute. The opening performance featured a captivating blend of singing, Guzheng (Chinese zither) music, and recitation by the hosts, presenting a beautiful tableau of Eastern culture and setting an elegant yet lively tone for the competition. Throughout the event, the hosts engaged actively with the audience, incorporating Chinese language learning and cultural insights, creating an interactive and enjoyable atmosphere.

The contestants demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm and talent, showcasing their passion for the Chinese language and culture. The competition consisted of two main segments: a Chinese-themed speech and a Chinese cultural talent show.

In the Chinese speech segment, students delivered fluent and insightful speeches related to the theme "Dreaming of Chinese, Living up to Youth," drawing upon personal experiences and reflections. Their presentations displayed not only strong language proficiency but also critical thinking skills and youthful vigor. Notably, contestants incorporated creative elements such as panda costumes, martial arts demonstrations, and traditional Chinese drum rhythms into their speeches. One contestant even opened with a simulated phone call, adding humor and originality to their self-introduction.

The Chinese cultural talent show featured a diverse array of artistic performances that highlighted the richness of Chinese culture. In addition to group performances, individual acts captivated the audience. Group performances included Tai Chi with traditional attire and panda costumes, a dance incorporating shuttlecock kicking, and a live calligraphy and painting demonstration alongside a Chinese song. A Chinese traditional costume fashion show presented a stunning display of classic attire like the "Ma Mian" skirt, Qipao, and Hanfu. Individual performances ranged from Chinese songs and modern dance to violin solos and Tai Chi demonstrations. One contestant performed a heartfelt rendition of "Chinese Youth" while another showcased their calligraphy and painting skills by painting a panda and writing the Chinese characters for "panda". The talent show received enthusiastic applause and offered the audience a memorable experience of the beauty of the Chinese language and culture.

Adding to the event's splendor, teachers from the UCC Confucius Institute also presented artistic performances. Volunteer teacher Wu Wenyi delivered a powerful rendition of the song "Fierce Warhorse," conveying the resilience of the Chinese spirit. Teachers Chen Wenqiu, Zheng Borui, and Jason Butler collaborated on a Chinese and Western instrumental ensemble, "Charming Spring," blending the melodies of the flute and other instruments to create a vibrant musical portrayal of spring.

During the award ceremony, guest speakers praised the "Chinese Bridge" competition and encouraged the students in their future endeavors.

Mayor of Cork, Dan Boyle, emphasized the importance of language as a bridge to the world and highlighted the growing significance of the Chinese language in global affairs and Sino-Irish relations. He also acknowledged the 20-year sister city relationship between Cork and Shanghai and the Confucius Institute's role in fostering cultural exchange.

Deputy County Mayor Ann Marie Ahern recognized "Chinese Bridge" as a vital platform for cultural connection and commended the students' linguistic abilities and intercultural awareness. She stressed the value of language education for personal and professional development and expressed gratitude to the teachers.

First Secretary of the Education Section of the Chinese Embassy, Zhu Xikun, expressed her delight in witnessing the increasing interest in the Chinese language and culture among Irish students. She underscored that language is a key to understanding culture and the world and encouraged the students to continue their Chinese language journey.

Following the performances and speeches, the winners of the competition were announced. Following a comprehensive evaluation by the judging panel, Chloe Holohan, a student from St. Gerard’s School, was awarded First Prize.

The event concluded with a group photo of guests, contestants, and staff, capturing the memorable occasion. The successful organization of the "Chinese Bridge" competition not only provided a stage for Irish students to demonstrate their Chinese proficiency and cultural understanding but also strengthened the bonds between Chinese and Irish youth and showcased the expanding influence of the Chinese language globally. The UCC Confucius Institute remains committed to facilitating cultural exchange, sharing the beauty of Chinese culture, and fostering friendship and collaboration between China and the world.