The 22^nd Chinese Bridge Competition took place on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 9 a.m. at the Humanities Campus of Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), in the presence of the Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon, His Excellency Mr. Qian Minjian, and his wife.

Prof. Liu Li, Vice-Director of the Confucius Institute at USJ, welcomed the attendees in his opening speech. He explained that the Chinese Bridge Competition is held “to build a bridge between nations, to promote Chinese learning and Chinese culture, and most importantly, to promote understanding between people of different countries to share a harmonious world and a happy family.”

In her closing remarks, Dr. Nisrine Abdel Nour Lattouf, Director of the Confucius Institute at USJ, expressed her desire for more future cooperation between the Chinese Embassy and the Confucius Institute. Prof. Salim Daccache S.J., USJ Rector, also conveyed his desire to enhance the collaboration between the University and the Chinese Embassy, aiming to cultivate a strong bond through the teaching of the Chinese language and culture. Daccache emphasized the importance of promoting scientific breakthroughs originating from China.

In his speech, H.E. Qian Minjian praised the Lebanese’s ability to learn languages and commended their newfound dedication and efforts in mastering the Chinese language, expressing his hope for an increasing number of Lebanese choosing to embark on this linguistic journey.

10 students from the Lebanese University (LU) and from the American University of Beirut (AUB) participated in the competition. The competition was divided into 3 parts: speech, Q&A, and talent show. Lynn El Hage, who has been studying Chinese at the Confucius Institute at USJ for 8 years now, won the 1^st prize. As for the 2^nd prize, it was awarded to Jana Abdallah. Both participants won a trip to China, trip and accommodation paid for by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC). El Hage will also be representing Lebanon in the International Chinese Bridge Competition that will be held in China.

The members of the Jury were Li Jing, Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon, Dr. Jamil Hodeib, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctor, Sun Dianling, Chinese instructor at the Confucius Institute at USJ, Yu Fen, Chinese instructor at AUB, and Li Xindi, Chinese instructor at LU.

The event was concluded with a reception.

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