The GB Times – Chi Dehua
“This summer, 145 representatives from 112 countries arrived in China to participate in the annual Chinese language competition: the Chinese Bridge. They were selected from regional contests based on their proficiency in the language and insight into the country’s culture. In addition to enjoying the needle of competition, contestants were given the opportunity to tour the country’s renowned scenic spots and visit tech companies during their one-month stay. The overall winners were also offered full scholarships by the Confucius Institute’s headquarters so that they could return to China and further their studies. The large-scale event echoed the ‘Chinese fever’ phenomenon currently sweeping the globe. According to the Xinhua News Agency, the number of foreigners learning Chinese has grown from 30 million in 2005 to 100 million currently, with more than 60 countries now offering Chinese as part of their national education system.”(more)