Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the 18th 'Chinese Bridge' Chinese Proficiency Competition UK Regional Final: Build the Bridge of Exchanges and Understanding

Second, language is a bridge for win-win cooperation between China and the UK.

Over the past years, learning the Chinese language has become increasingly popular in Britain.

· In 2017, the "Mandarin Excellence Programme" was introduced to primary and secondary schools in England. As of today, the programme has covered more than 1,300 students from 64 schools.

· In 2018, the Chinese language overtook German for the first time and became the third most popular foreign language in A-level exams.

· Chinese and British education institutions have jointly built 29 Confucius Institutes and 161 Confucius Classrooms, which have become popular platforms to learn the Chinese language and culture.

At the same time, more and more Chinese students choose to study in Britain. In 2010, my first year as Chinese Ambassador to the UK, there were about 130,000 Chinese students here. Today, after nine years, this figure has increased to 190,000.

All these figures reflect the close bond between the Chinese and British people. They also demonstrate the vigour of China-UK cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Third, language is a bridge for exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilisations.

In an age of deepening multi-polarisation, economic globalisation and cultural diversity, the communication between people and the exchanges and mutual learning between civilisations are becoming increasingly important.

Learning a foreign language gives us a tool for such communication and exchanges. This helps us understand differences and seek common grounds. This also builds the foundation for equality and mutual respect.

China and the UK differ in social system, history, culture and development stage. But both have created profound civilisations, and many of our values are similar.

For example, the British people prize the qualities of elegance, honesty and independence, while the Chinese people value benevolence, integrity, courtesy, wisdom and good faith.

As long as we overcome the barrier of language, we could reach a new stage of better understanding and stronger consensus.

Distinguished Guests,

Dear Friends:

Ludwig Wittgenstein said, "The limits of my language are the limits of my world."

I hope the "Chinese Bridge" competition will help us break the limits of ability and knowledge, and encourage more people to learn the Chinese language and understand China. This will be an important contribution to advancing the China-UK "Golden Era" and building a community with a shared future for mankind!

In conclusion, I wish all the contestants success in this competition. I hope you will become super stars of the "Chinese Bridge"!

Now I have the honour to announce:

The 18th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition UK Regional Final now begins!

Thank you!