On May 14, the South Africa Final of the 25th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students was successfully held at the Confucius Institute for Chinese Medicine at the University of the Western Cape. Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng delivered a video address, and South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela sent a congratulatory message. The event was attended by Chinese Consul General in Cape Town Ren Faqiang, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape Robert Balfour, and more than 500 participants including teachers, parents, and contestants from seven universities hosting Confucius Institutes across South Africa.

In his speech, Ambassador Wu noted that this year marks the Year of China–Africa People-to-People Exchanges, the 10th anniversary of the inclusion of Chinese in South Africa's National Education System, and the 25th anniversary of the founding of the “Chinese Bridge” Competition. He pointed out that the “Chinese Bridge” is a bridge of language linking South African youth to the bright future of the Chinese-speaking world, a bridge of culture carrying the power of people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning, and a bridge of friendship contributing to a brighter future of lasting friendship between China and South Africa. Ambassador Wu encouraged the contestants to keep learning and improving Chinese, strive to become builders and guardians of China–South Africa friendship, and contribute to the building of a China–South Africa and China–Africa community with a shared future.

Over 100 college students from South Africa participated in the competition, setting a new record. Through speeches and talent performances, contestants demonstrated their Chinese language skills, and expressed their appreciation for China. The finals for primary and secondary school students are scheduled to be held in Durban soon.