SAN JOSE, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese proficiency competition aimed at boosting bilateral cultural exchanges and understanding concluded here Monday after whipping up a Mandarin craze in the Central American country.
Four Costa Rican teenagers won the Chinese Bridge contest thanks to their knowledge of Chinese culture and Mandarin language skills, and were awarded a visit to China from Oct. 16 to Nov. 1.
The competition, organized by the Chinese embassy in cooperation with the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education and the Costa Rican Chinese Cultural Center, featured tests of proficiency of the Chinese language and knowledge about various aspects of Chinese culture.
"I was so excited. I practiced a lot and made great efforts," Maria Fernanda Sabatini Castro, one of the four top winners, who began studying Mandarin a year ago, told Xinhua.
Chinese culture is full of "very beautiful things," she said, adding that she was elated to have the opportunity to visit China.
Daniela Quiros Luna, another winner, said she has been studying the language for four years, and wants "to have a new experience and learn more about Chinese culture" through this event.
Some 300 students took part in the contest, whose final round was held at San Jose's Melico Salazar Theater with the presence of Chinese Ambassador Song Yanbin and Costa Rican Education Minister Sonia Maria Mora.
The contest will help foster friendship between the youths of the two countries, which established diplomatic ties eight years ago, Song noted in his opening speech.
For her part, Mora said the competition, which has entitled 30 Costa Rican students to travel to China, represents another step in strengthening relations between China and Costa Rica.
More public schools in Costa Rica are expected to include Mandarin in their curriculum, added the minister.
