-In China
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
The Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia on Friday, May 17, 2024, under the theme “One World, One Family”, organized and celebrated the 23rd “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for College students in Liberia.
The competition which seeks to promote the Chinese language as a bridge and bond that unites people across time and space was held at the auditorium of the University of Liberia with two Liberian students, Joannah F. Allen and Jusu Nennee Dawolo emerging as winners of the grand prize and first prize winner respectively.
With their awards, the students now have to participate in the 23rd global “Chinese Bridge” competition for college students in China
Meanwhile, student Mishael M Lyanplawon Jr 2nd Prize, Chillin Dorcas Mason 2nd Prize, Augustine F. Taylor, Jr 2nd Prize, Eric Chris Zinnah, 3rd Prize, Johnson Clarence Seedorf 3rd Prize, A Layee Kelleh 3rd Prize
At the same time, Yin Chengwu, Chinese Ambassador to Liberia said that the enthusiasm for learning Chinese has been growing worldwide, therefore admonished more Liberian students to the endeavour.
He added that as devoted learners of Chinese language, one must have discovered the beauty of the Chinese language, appreciated the rich history and cultural heritage contained in each Chinese character, experienced China’s 5,000 years of civilization, and understood the values of peace and harmony that are deeply rooted in the Chinese culture and the blood of the Chinese people.
Ambassador Yin Chengwu intimated that in recent years, President Xi Jinping has proposed the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind, along with the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative(GCI).
He stated that these new visions essentially reflect the traditional Chinese philosophy of pursuing harmony, peace and win-win cooperation and foster a new type of security, co-existence and common development, replacing confrontation, alliance and a zero-sum approach with dialogue, partnership and win-win results.
The “Chinese Bridge” is a bridge of dialogue and exchange between the people of China and Liberia. China has always been committed to strengthening friendly people-to-people exchanges between China and Liberia.
Over the years, the Chinese side has sponsored about 3,000 Liberians for exchanges through scholarships and short-term training programs.
In 2008, China’s Changsha University of Science & Technology, in cooperation with the University of Liberia, established the Confucius Institute at UL, which has become another signature program of China-Liberia educational cooperation.
The Confucius Institute at UL has recommended hundreds of students to local Chinese enterprises, while China-Liberia educational cooperation has enabled many Liberians to get more knowledge and skills, and opened a window of opportunity to change their lives.
Meanwhile, the Chinese diplomat further provided that at present, under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Boakai, China-Liberia relations have entered a new stage, and practical cooperation between the two countries in various fields are promising.
The ambassador continued by admonishing Liberian students to seize this unprecedented historic opportunity for development to become envoys of friendship between the two countries and push forward China-Liberia friendly relations. He added that Multi-polarity, economic globalization and cultural diversity is gaining momentum.
“I sincerely hope that more Liberian students will seize this unprecedented historic opportunity for development, lean Chinese well, become envoys of friendship between the two countries and push forward China-Liberia friendly relations. Today’s world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. Multi-polarity, economic globalization and cultural diversity is gaining momentum.”
He asserted that only by viewing the world as one family, following the principles of mutual respect and seeking common ground while settling differences with others, and promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, can build a community with a shared future for humanity.
