Samuel Kifle, president of the Addis Ababa University (AAU), speaks during the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 23, 2026. A "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students was held in the country's capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday, promoting language learning and cultural exchanges. TO GO WITH "Ethiopian students shine at 'Chinese Bridge' competition" (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)
ADDIS ABABA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- A "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students was held in the country's capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday, promoting language learning and cultural exchanges.
The contest, hosted at Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopia's largest and oldest higher education institution, was jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, the Confucius Institutes at the AAU and the Federal Technical and Vocational Training Institute.
Nineteen contestants from the two Confucius Institutes were challenged to deliver a speech in Mandarin, along with a talent show featuring distinctive Chinese cultural performances.
A panel of eight judges -- six Chinese and two Ethiopians -- evaluated the contestants based on their Mandarin speeches, knowledge of Chinese culture, as well as artistic performances.
The annual Chinese proficiency competition attracted hundreds of spectators, including senior Ethiopian government officials, members of the Chinese diplomatic community, students and the wider university community.
Heran Getachew and Aliya Abdulsemed, both from the AAU Confucius Institute, won the competition. They will represent Ethiopia at the global final in China.
Addressing the awarding ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Chen Hai said that the "Chinese Bridge" competition is not only a stage to test students' Chinese language proficiency, but also a platform for young people to learn from each other and appreciate each other through language and cultural exchanges.
Chinese language education has flourished in Ethiopia in recent years, in line with the growing Sino-Ethiopian educational cooperation, and becoming a crucial platform for development, Chen said.
AAU President Samuel Kifle said the competition, which has been running at the AAU for several consecutive years, has become a window of opportunity for young Ethiopian Chinese-language students to show their talent and success.
He said that Chinese language education at the university serves as a vital bridge enhancing the people-to-people connections between China and Ethiopia. ■
Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Chen Hai (1st L) and Samuel Kifle (1st R), president of the Addis Ababa University (AAU), present awards to Heran Getachew (2nd L) and Aliya Abdulsemed, winners of the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 23, 2026. A "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students was held in the country's capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday, promoting language learning and cultural exchanges. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)
A contestant performs during the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 23, 2026. A "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students was held in the country's capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday, promoting language learning and cultural exchanges. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)
A contestant performs during the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 23, 2026. A "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students was held in the country's capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday, promoting language learning and cultural exchanges.(Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)
Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Chen Hai speaks during the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 23, 2026. A "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students was held in the country's capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday, promoting language learning and cultural exchanges.(Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)
A contestant performs during the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 23, 2026. A "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students was held in the country's capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday, promoting language learning and cultural exchanges.(Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)
A contestant performs during the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 23, 2026. A "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Ethiopian university students was held in the country's capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday, promoting language learning and cultural exchanges.(Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)
