The 4th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Middle School Students, an important Chinese language contest for foreign students all of the world, was held successfully on Saturday in Mexico City, which showed the good Chinese language level of Mexican teenagers.

The "Chinese Bridge" contestants had to pass three rounds during Saturday's competition, including speech, talent show and question answering. The thirteen teenagers, who come from five Chinese teaching organizations, talked about their experiences or feelings of learning Chinese. Chinese songs, folk dances and Taichi Fan were shown to the audience and deserved applause.

The competition showed the good Chinese language level of Mexican teenagers who study hard in Chinese teaching organizations. Gabriel Salvatierra, the champion of the competition, has a language talent. The 16-year-old teenager, who can speak several foreign languages including Chinese, German, English, French and Arabic, can speak Chinese fluently with just one year Chinese learning experience.

Salvatierra, who comes from Mexico City Confucius Institute, the first one in Latin America founded in 2006, said "I like Chinese people very much because they are enthusiastic. I have not been to China, so I am happy to get an opportunity to the attractive country. I also like Chinese songs."

Salvatierra, got chances to go to China to attend the final competition of Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Middle School Students in October, as one of the five winners in Saturday's contest.

The contestants' outstanding performances impressed Ding Wenlin, the official of Education Section of Chinese Embassy in Mexico, who said that more and more teenagers attend Chinese Bridge every year and the competitive level is also rising.

"More and more Mexicans are interested in Chinese language and culture now, some people even went to study in China at their own expense, because there are not enough Chinese teaching organizations in Mexico," he said. "I think the Confucius Institute plays an important role in spreading Chinese culture, with many excellent and responsible Chinese language teachers and volunteers."

Ding also mentioned the children and teenagers' advantages in learning Chinese. "The young learners can learn Chinese language and contact Chinese culture at an early age," he said. "The children can also bring the whole family the enjoyment of understanding Chinese culture, which is good for laying foundations for the friendship between China and Mexico."

(Xinhua News Agency June 7, 201)