The 2026 Storytelling Contest Final of “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreigners across the Globe Held at SJTU

On the evening of July 15, the 2026 Storytelling Contest Final of “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreigners across the Globe was held at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). Attendees included Liu Jianqing, Deputy Director-General of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) of the Ministry of Education of China; Liu Weidong, Vice President of SJTU; Ding Liguo, Director of the International Affairs Office of the CLEC; Qi Hong, Party Secretary of the School of Humanities of SJTU; and Xie Wei, Deputy Director of International Affairs Division of SJTU.

During the final, contestants from various countries shared their personal stories and cultural experiences related to China. Australian contestant Dashiel Denison won the First Prize. Second Prize went to Etel Vinícius Bitencourt de Souza (Brazil) and Thi Anh Thu Loc (Vietnam). Third Prize winners were Cheng Lim Khor (Malaysia), Federico Vuka (Italy), and Yin Hway Kyan (Myanmar). For the Special awards, Paul Shyaka and Nely Ebenizaire Ulrich Djihokin won the Best Presentation Award; Navina Lucia Heyden and Ekaterina Tarasova won the Best Creativity Award; Ali Amin Elsayed Hussien and Kadiatou Sow won the Best Eloquence Award; Oumou Diallo and Giulia Chiara Traverso won the Best Literary Award.

In his speech, Liu Jianqing reviewed the 25-year history of “Chinese Bridge,” noting it has attracted over 1.8 million young people from more than 160 countries and regions, becoming an important platform for language exchange and mutual learning. He emphasized that the core of the storytelling competition lies in equal dialogue and sincere empathy. He also praised SJTU and its School of Humanities for their organization, saying the event demonstrated SJTU’s international vision and cultural depth.

Liu Weidong stated that SJTU has long been committed to international Chinese education and cross-cultural exchange. He said the hosting of “Chinese Bridge” at SJTU is a recognition of the university’s international work. He encouraged young people from around the world to study Chinese well, tell Chinese stories well, and become ambassadors of mutual learning and friendship between China and other countries.

Qi Hong said that hosting the final was an important practice in implementing the national strategy for international communication and promoting high-quality development of international Chinese education. In the future, the School of Humanities will use this competition as a new starting point to cultivate more international young talents who understand, befriend, and love China.

The event was hosted by CLEC and organized by SJTU, with the School of Humanities taking the lead. On the 25th anniversary of “Chinese Bridge,” 50 contestants from over 30 countries and regions, along with former participants, gathered at SJTU to present a true, multi-dimensional, and vivid image of China through the bridge of Chinese language and storytelling.