KABUL, May 24 (Xinhua) -- The 16th "Chinese Bridge," the Chinese proficiency contest for foreign students, was held in Kabul on Wednesday.
Contestants Ahmad Walid Ahadi from Confucius Institute at Kabul University and Maryam Nekqadam from Marefat won the first prize. They will represent Afghanistan for the final game in China later this year.
Altogether 12 students from Kabul University and Marefat took part in the contest.
There are three sections in the contest themed "Dreams Enlighten Future," namely Chinese speech, knowledge about China, and China-related talent show.
In his eloquent speech, Ahadi expressed his dream to become a diplomat and act as a bridge for China-Afghanistan friendship, which won warm applause. Contestants performed Wushu, paper-cutting and Chinese writing, which was a big feast for the audience.
"In the backdrop of the Belt and Road Initiative, by teaching students Chinese language and culture as well as China's economic development especially the achievement since the reform and opening up, we hope to facilitate the bilateral exchanges," said Li Huiyang, head of the Confucius Institute at Kabul University.
Founded in 2008, the Confucius Institute at Kabul University has enrolled 321 students, 246 of whom have won the scholarships to study in China. It cooperates with Marefat, a famous private school in Afghanistan to further promote the Chinese language teaching and Chinese culture.
The Chancellor of Kabul University, Minister Adviser in Higher Education Affairs Hamidullah Farooqi and Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Yao Jing attended the event.
