The Chinese Bridge Competition
Chinese Bridge is an international competition in which non-Chinese university students can demonstrate their knowledge of Chinese language and culture - and have a lot of fun in the process. Taking part in Chinese Bridge is a great way to develop your language and presentation skills, and really helps you to take your Chinese to the next level.
Each year, the Business Confucius Institute and East Asian Studies Department select up to four students to represent the University of Leeds at the UK finals in London. The candidates selected receive coaching and support from BCI staff to help prepare them for the competition. This includes assistance in selecting and preparing an appropriate talent performance.
Competitors are judged in three areas:
- Chinese language proficiency
- Knowledge of China
- Chinese cultural performance
Top competitors from the UK finals also have the chance to compete in the international televised finals in China.
Register your interest
If you think you might like to take part in the competition please complete this online form to register your interest (opens in a new tab).
2024 Competition details
The UK finals will take place in London on Thursday 6 June. The competition will also be streamed online.
Entry requirements for contestants
The competition is open to people who satisfy the following criteria:
- University student
- Aged between 18 and 30
- Of non-Chinese nationality
- Born and raised outside of China
- First language is not Chinese
- Hasn’t participated in the semi-final and final competition held in China in previous years
UK finals: competition format and prizes
Format
- Speech on a topic of your own choosing, including a brief self-introduction in Chinese (3 mins)
- Cultural Knowledge Quiz. 5 questions to test your general knowledge about Chinese culture (2 mins)
- Performance. Contestants can choose to perform Chinese songs, music, dance, folk arts, acrobatics, musical instruments, calligraphy, paper cutting, kung fu, etc. (3 mins)
Prizes & Awards
The Grand Prize winner and the First Prize winner will go to China to represent the UK in the Semi-final of the world-wide competition.
- Grand Prize - one £500
- First Prize - one £400
- Second Prizes - two £200 each
- Third Prizes - three £100 each
Individual Awards
- Most Eloquent £100
- Most Creative £100
- Most Talented £100
- Most Knowledgeable £100
- Best Tutor £200
The cash awards are for the purchase of Chinese study materials.
News
Huge success for Leeds Students in the 2024 Chinese Bridge Competition
On Thursday 6th June, two Leeds students took part in the 21st Edition of the Chinese Bridge Competition in London. Francesca Pala (Chinese name 方可心) won three different prizes: Most Eloquent Award, Most Popular Contestant and second place in the competition overall.
Introducing our 2024 Chinese Bridge contestants
We are delighted to introduce Francesca and Sophie, who will be representing Leeds in this year's Chinese Bridge Competition. Chinese Bridge is an international competition in which non-Chinese university students can demonstrate their knowledge of Chinese language and culture.
利兹商务孔院在第二十届“汉语桥”全英大区赛缔造历史续写辉煌
当地时间2021年6月26日,利兹商务孔院选派优秀学子苏卉雅(Zuzanna Suchcicka)在第二十届“汉语桥”世界大学生中文比赛全英赛区决赛中荣获“特等奖”,公派教师满晓臣作为辅导老师获得了唯一一名“最佳指导教师奖”,这也是利兹孔院自成立以来首次在“汉语桥”比赛中摘下的最高奖项。
Previous results
University of Leeds results - 2021
British Finals (online)
Zuzanna Anna Suchcicka (苏卉雅)
Third year student of Chinese and International Business.
Grand Prize
University of Leeds results - 2020
International Finals (online)
Rebecca Mingotti Landriani
Fourth place in Europe.
British Finals (online)
Rebecca Mingotti Landriani
First place (一等奖)
University of Leeds results - 2019
International Finals (China)
James Holmes (家松)
Second place in Europe (一等奖)
Ahmad Elmouniery (谢炫明)
Fifth in Europe (三等奖)
British Finals (London)
Ahmad Elmouniery (谢炫明)
3rd year student from the University of Leeds East Asian Studies Department
First Prize
James Holmes (家松)
3rd year student from the University of Leeds East Asian Studies Department
Second Prize
University of Leeds results - 2018
British Finals (London)
Alexia Daubresse (杜雅莉)
3rd year student from the University of Leeds East Asian Studies Department
Second Prize
Nadine Golding (高娜娜)
3rd year student from the University of Leeds East Asian Studies Department
University of Leeds results - 2017
International Finals (China)
Gabriel Mayoral Galindo (葛金鹰)
Reached the final 30 and was one of the top seven competitors from Europe
Mark McPhilips (莫马克)
Represented the UK in the initial rounds of the competition
British Finals (London)
Gabriel Mayoral Galindo (葛金鹰)
4th year student from the University of Leeds East Asian Studies Department
Second Prize
Mark McPhilips (莫马克)
3rd year student from the University of Leeds East Asian Studies Department
Second Prize
Charlie Bridges (毕天宇)
3rd year student from the University of Leeds East Asian Studies Department
Third Prize
Shreya Patel (花雪丫)
4th year student from the University of Leeds School of Mathematics studying Mathematics
Third Prize
University of Leeds results - 2016
British Finals
Yumeka Nosaka (农坂梦香)
3rd year exchange student from the University of Leeds East Asian Studies Department
Second Prize; Most Eloquent
Giovanni Battista Baffetti (乔万尼)
Postgraduate student from Leeds University Business School studying International Business
Second Prize
University of Leeds results - 2015
British Finals
Alice Heales (何雨妍)
Third Prize
Tania Yeromiyan (燕倓雅)
Third Prize
Matthew O'Dowd (马修)
Third Prize
Christy O'Driscoll (洪佑全)
Most Eloquent