By Elbie Sebleh
On the occasion marking the 23rd “Chinese Bridge” Proficiency Competition in Liberia, Chinese Ambassador accredited to Liberia has underscored the importance of the Chinese language to the global community with Liberia being no exception.
Speaking at the occasion at which several Liberian youths were awarded prizes in different categories due to their level of fluency in the Chinese language, Ambassador Yin Chengwu said, language is a bridge and bond that unites people across time and space and the Chinese langue is of great essence to learn.
The 23rd “Chinese Bridge” Proficiency Competition in Liberia was held on the Capitol Hill main campus of the state-run University of Liberia (UL) on Friday, May 17, 2024, under the theme: “One World, One Family.”
According him, in recent years, the enthusiasm for learning Chinese has been growing worldwide, and more and more Liberian friends are joining the endeavor.
He called on more Liberian students to seize this unprecedented historic opportunity for development, learn Chinese well, become envoys of friendship between the two countries and push forward China-Liberia friendly relations.
“I am convinced that, as devoted learners of this language, you must have discovered the beauty of the Chinese language, appreciated the rich history and cultural heritage contained in each Chinese character, experienced China’s 5,000 years of civilization, and understood the values of peace and harmony that are deeply rooted in the Chinese culture and the blood of the Chinese people,” the Ambassador indicated.
“Dear friends, in recent years, President Xi Jinping has proposed the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind, along with the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). These new visions essentially reflect the traditional Chinese philosophy of pursuing harmony, peace and win-win cooperation. These visions help us foster a new type of security, co-existence and common development, replacing confrontation, alliance and a zero-sum approach with dialogue, partnership and win-win results,” the Ambassador indicated.
He explained that the “Chinese Bridge” is a bridge of dialogue and exchange between the people of China and Liberia.
China has always been committed to strengthening friendly people-to-people exchanges between China and Liberia.
Recounting China’s contributions to Liberia, he revealed that over the years, the Chinese side has sponsored about 3,000 Liberians for exchanges through scholarships and short-term training programs.
“In 2008, China’s Changsha University of Science & Technology, in cooperation with the University of Liberia, established the Confucius Institute at UL, which has become another signature program of China-Liberia educational cooperation. So far, The Confucius Institute at UL has recommended hundreds of students to local Chinese enterprises. China-Liberia educational cooperation has enabled many Liberians to get more knowledge and skills, and opened a window of opportunity of changing their lives,” he disclosed.
“At present, under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Boakai, China-Liberia relations have entered a new stage, and practical cooperation between the two countries in various fields is promising. I sincerely hope that more Liberian students will seize this unprecedented historic opportunity for development, learn Chinese well, become envoys of friendship between the two countries and push forward China-Liberia friendly relations,” he stressed.
“Today’s world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. Multi-polarity, economic globalization and cultural diversity are gaining momentum. Facing with a world of uncertainty, only by viewing the world as one family, following the principles of mutual respect and seeking common ground while settling differences with others, and promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, can we build a community with a shared future for humanity. And that is exactly what the theme of this year’s Chinese Proficiency Competition – One World, One Family – means. Let us joint hand to create a more secure and brighter future for the world,” the Ambassador asserted.
In separate remarks, Mr. Eugene Faghon, Director General of Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) and Dr. Jonathan Taylor, Acting President of the University of Liberia pledged their institutions’ commitments to partnering with the government of Chinese through its embassy here to enhance developments at their entities.
Meanwhile, eight young Liberians were declared winners at the end of the ceremony following their splendid eloquences in the Chinese language.
They include: three third prize winners namely; A Layee Kelleh, Johnson Clarence Seedorf and Eric Chris Zinnah; three second prize winner including: Augustine F. Taylor, Jr., Chillin Dorcas Mason and Mishael M Lyanplawon Jr. Jusu Nennee Dawolo, while the most coveted grand prize was swept away by Joannah F. Allen.
