Participants from various countries perform different acts at the fifth "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Show for Foreign Primary School Students‌ in Tianjin. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

At the ongoing fifth "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Show for Foreign Primary School Students‌ in Tianjin, 76 contestants from 63 countries showcased their Chinese language proficiency and shared personal stories connected to Chinese culture.

Among the highlights were Australian contestant Ding Kai's rendition of Descendants of the Dragon, Portuguese competitor Molina's fan dance Floating Light, Japanese participant Sakurai Yuika's Beijing Opera piece Selling Water, and Bolivian contestant Catherine's song-and-dance performance South of the Colorful Clouds.

Several contestants described how learning Chinese had linked them to family traditions or new experiences.

"I'm a child who grew up listening to Chinese stories under the moonlight in Thailand," said Chen Huiqian, a contestant from Thailand. "Every Mid-Autumn Festival, my family sets up a table in our yard with jasmine flowers and mooncakes and prays together under the moon."

"My Chinese teacher told us the story of Chang'e flying to the moon and taught us Li Bai's poem Quiet Night Thoughts. When I looked at the moon in the textbook and then at the moon in Thailand, I suddenly realized — whether in Thailand or China, we are gazing at the same moon," Chen added.

A contestant from Croatia performs an original song. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Ran Lai from Mauritius said Chinese had given him "unforgettable firsts", from summer camp and flying kites to Chinese calligraphy. What made him happiest was that learning Chinese not only introduced him to a fascinating culture but also helped him make friends from around the world.

"My father visited China twice and loved it," said Ren Xue, a contestant from Botswana. "He also learned Chinese. Influenced by him, I developed a strong interest in Chinese culture and started learning the language too."

Since its launch in 2021, the competition has been held annually and now draws participants from 97 countries. Organizers say some 350,000 primary and secondary school students have taken part in preliminary contests, with more than 3,200 reaching the global finals.

Bao Yan contributed to this story.

A contestant from Iceland performs Sichuan face-changing opera in costume. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A contestant from Bulgaria wears a spacesuit and shares his story about Chinese culture and his space dream. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]