by Chen Dongshu, Wu Yue
COLOMBO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The finals of the 23rd "Chinese Bridge" Competition in Sri Lanka have recently concluded in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.
During the talent show segment, 30 contestants showcased a variety of Chinese cultural performances, including Huangmei Opera, ethnic dances, kuaiban (a form of oral storytelling), and performances on the Hulusi (a traditional Chinese wind instrument).
Ma Zhongwu, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo, told reporters that a major highlight of this year's competition was the comprehensive and diverse experience of Chinese culture. Mandarin has become one of the priorities for Sri Lankan students learning foreign languages.
The contestants shared their reasons for their love of Chinese culture. For Visaka Dewsara, communication deepened her interest. Dewsara, who had previously studied in a Chinese martial arts community, performed a solo saber routine during the talent show segment, with clean and crisp moves full of rhythm and intensity.
A year ago, she participated in an exchange program between the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka and Southwest University in Chongqing, China. In Chongqing, she not only improved her Chinese language skills but also received a special gift: a dark blue horse-face skirt from her Chinese teacher. She carefully kept this skirt in her wardrobe until this year's "Chinese Bridge" Competition, when she finally took it out to wear.
For Jinali Wijekoon, a student at Sabaragamuwa University, learning Chinese provided more options for personal development.
During the speech competition segment, many contestants mentioned landmark projects of BRI in Sri Lanka, such as the Port City, Hambantota Port, and Lotus Tower, and Wijekoon was no exception. She said that these projects brought numerous job opportunities to Sri Lanka, so learning Chinese was highly beneficial.
Wijekoon said the spirit of cooperation and the concept of mutual benefits embodied in these projects best exemplified the competition theme "One World, One Family." As a senior set to graduate this year, she has already secured a job as a translator in a Chinese company.
"I want to continue studying Chinese culture and communicate more smoothly with my Chinese colleagues," she said.
Contestant Madhavi Weerasekara performed a four-minute Peking Opera showcase in the finals, which reflected the efforts and support of her entire family. The ornate phoenix coronet she wore during her performance was made together with her parents, sister and brother using two pieces of cardboard, with each stroke and pearl meticulously hand-painted and threaded, taking a full week to complete.
Weerasekara has been studying Chinese for eight years. To her, her family and teachers are the best role models for promoting Chinese culture.
"Many of my relatives study Chinese, and they all say that Chinese is useful and interesting. My sister speaks Chinese very well, and I started learning Chinese in middle school with great support from my parents," said Weerasekara.
"I also want to promote the Chinese culture that I love, just like my sister and teachers, and I hope that one day I can go to China to perform Peking Opera," she said.
Ji Lili, counsellor of the Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka, said at the award ceremony that language is the best key to understanding a country. By learning Chinese and participating in the "Chinese Bridge" Competition, one can gain a richer understanding of China. She hopes that Sri Lankan Chinese language talents will contribute to further deepening China-Sri Lanka friendship and cooperation.
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