The champions of five continents competed in the finals of the "Chinese Bridge" competition in Tianjin on Sept 21, with the contestant from the United States winning the overall championship. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 19th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students concluded in Tianjin on Sept 21, marking the 25th anniversary of the globally renowned "Olympics of Chinese language learning".

Willa Marion Brubaker from the United States claimed the overall championship, as 120 contestants from 101 countries wrapped up nearly a month of final-stage contests and cultural exchange activities across the city.

For many young participants, the event means far more than a language award.

During a Sino-Vietnamese youth exchange this summer, Vietnamese contestant Tue Anh Do bonded with a girl from China's Zhuang ethnic group over a hand-painted silk fan.