Sri Lanka Sees Record Turnout in Chinese Bridge Finals

Sri Lanka hosted its largest-ever Chinese Bridge competition this week, signaling surging interest in Mandarin among the island nation’s youth. One hundred fifty-seven students from every province converged on Colombo for the national finals of the 19th Chinese Bridge World Secondary School Chinese Proficiency Competition, eclipsing all previous participation figures. Daphne Ruwanya Kalansuriya of Galle Southern Secondary School captured first place and earned a ticket to the global finals in China. The victory caps months of rigorous preparation that tested contestants on pronunciation, cultural knowledge, and impromptu speaking. Prime Minister’s Secretary Pradeep Saputantri told the audience that language skills are becoming essential for tomorrow’s workforce. He encouraged students to view themselves as future diplomats who can deepen bilateral ties and foster people-to-people exchanges. At the same event, Chinese Embassy Counselor Chi Lili stressed that proficiency in Mandarin equips learners with cross-cultural agility valued by employers worldwide. Parallel competitions unfolded in Vietnam, the Philippines, Rwanda, and Sudan, underscoring China’s sustained investment in global language outreach.