The Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, Shen Yongxiang, has called on Rwandan students who have learnt Chinese to use the language as a bridge between the two countries.
The Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, Shen Yongxiang, has called on Rwandan students who have learnt Chinese to use the language as a bridge between the two countries.
"Language is a bridge between our countries. It gives you the opportunity to learn from China’s economic development and advancement,” he said.
He was speaking at an event to award prizes to students who participated in Chinese poems, songs and quiz competitions sponsored by the embassy.
The contest, ‘Chinese Bridge Competition,’ took place at the Chinese Confucius Institute at University of Rwanda’s College of Education yesterday.
The competition initially drew 16 secondary school students from Gatsibo Community Model School, Inyange Girls’ School in Rulindo and G.S.O.B: Indatwa z’Inkesha.
After the first round, ten students were selected from which four finalists were later picked.
In the first round, the contestants did an artistic performance in Chinese.
Gloria Iradukunda, from Inyange Girls School, emerged the winner and took home an ipad, a notebook and a trip to Beijing for the global finals in September.
The second runners up got a notepad and a notebook while the rest of the finalists received notebooks.
The institute also rewarded all the 16 competitors for participation.
They were given notebooks, files and certificates of participation.
Iradukunda, a senior five Math, Computer and Economics student, was delighted after being announced the winner.
"I am overjoyed and surprised as I didn’t expect to win,” said Iradukunda.
"This gives me more strength and courage to continue speaking Chinese.”
During the one year and a half of training, she says, her love for the Chinese culture and history inspired her to learn the language.
The Institute
"Their history, bravery and love for music motivated me a lot in learning their language,” she added.
The Chinese Confucius Institute director, Mark xzhang, said that the competition is a way to build a firm relationship between the two countries.
"We want young people in middle school and colleges to make new friends and learn from the Chinese history,”he said
The Confucius Institute was founded in 2009 as a branch of the University of Rwanda’s College of Education, that teaches Chinese language and culture to registered learners, college students, off-campus people and other institutions.