Marco De Biase from the University of Venice attends the 22nd edition of the "Chinese Bridge" competition organized for Italian and Sammarinese university students in Padua, Italy, May 19, 2023.(Xinhua/Zhou Xiaotian)
ROME, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The 22nd edition of the "Chinese Bridge" competition organized for Italian and Sammarinese university students in the Italian city of Padua on Friday saw 12 contestants demonstrate their Chinese language skills, earning them rounds of applause from the audience.
Marco De Biase from the University of Venice became the champion, with 23.125 points out of 25, therefore he will represent Italy at the final stage of the language proficiency contest in China. Luna Mazzonetto from the University of Venice came second with 22.2 points.
Marco De Biase told Xinhua that he considered the competition a great opportunity to improve his language skills and to meet new friends who are also learning Chinese.
"I am also very happy to have the chance to go to China for the finals," he said, adding that in September, he plans to start a master's course in China. "Hopefully, I can find a job in China at the same time," he said.
The contest in Italy is jointly organized by the Chinese embassy and the Confucius Institute at the University of Padua. ■
