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Home > News > How Impressive Are These International Contestants’ Chinese Skills? The Semi-finals of the “Qiantang Cup” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Global Youth Have the Answer
Finalists Named for 2026 "Qiantang Cup" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Global YouthHow Impressive Are These International Contestants’ Chinese Skills? The Semi-finals of the “Qiantang Cup” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Global Youth Have the Answer
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16th April 2026
On 15th April, the semi-finals of the “Qiantang Cup” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Global Youth were successfully held at the BRICS Special Economic Zone China Cooperation Centre in Qiantang District. A total of 29 contestants from 19 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Greece, Morocco and Ethiopia, and representing 15 universities both within and beyond Zhejiang Province, came together for the event. Following systematic training during the training camp, they took to the stage to compete, using Chinese as a medium and culture as a bridge to present a vibrant and heart-warming gathering of international youth exchange.
The semi-final featured three rounds: situational dialogue, interpretations of trendy cultural items, and talent presentation. Contestants were assessed comprehensively on their language proficiency, cultural understanding and stage presence. The atmosphere throughout the competition was warm, lively and full of youthful energy. Drawing on contemporary Chinese life scenarios such as the Qiantang tidal bore, shared bicycles and delivery robots, contestants combined their personal experiences with their lives in China to share their understanding and impressions of the country in vivid and natural Chinese. In the talent presentation round, they further incorporated elements of Chinese culture into performances through dance, song, dramatic expression and other artistic forms. Waves of applause and cheers from the audience reflected the contestants’ strong language skills and confident stage performance.
Throughout the competition, the contestants demonstrated not only solid foundations in Chinese, but also remarkable understanding and creativity in cross-cultural communication. When a few contestants briefly paused during their presentations, the audience responded with timely encouragement, contributing to a positive and well-ordered atmosphere. Towards the end of the event, the organising committee presented a video montage from the training camp, highlighting moments from the training camp which further strengthened the emotional connection on site and
enriched the overall experience of the competition.
The judges noted that although the contestants came from different countries, their understanding of Chinese culture was both nuanced and insightful. Their presentations reflected not only personal perspectives, but also genuine emotion, demonstrating an encouraging shift in Chinese language learning from mere linguistic competence to deeper cultural
understanding.
More than a concentrated test of the contestants’ all-round abilities, this semi-final was also a vivid exercise in international cultural exchange. Through the competition platform, young people from around the world were able to understand China and express their perceptions of China in authentic contexts, while Chinese stories were told and shared in more
diverse and multidimensional ways.
From the encounter of languages to the blending of cultures, and from initial unfamiliarity to close companionship, these international young people in Qiantang not only improved their Chinese proficiency, but also gained friendships that transcend borders and came to appreciate the warmth of Chinese culture. “We hope they will not only showcase the charm of the Chinese language, but also present the unique characteristics of their own countries, so as to achieve genuine cultural exchange,” said Bryson Xue, Chief Director of the competition, “Seeing them grow from being hesitant to speak to expressing themselves with confidence, and seeing them come to love Qiantang and China through this experience, is the greatest value of the competition.”
图片及内容版权归CECCI所有，如发现侵权或盗用行为将追究法律责任
All images and content are the property of CECCI. Any unauthorised use or infringement will result in legal action.