Students from the UCD Confucius Institute Achieve Outstanding Results in the 18th “Chinese Bridge”

On May 3, 2025, the Ireland Regional Final of the 18th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students was held with grandeur at the Kingsley Hotel in Cork. The event was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Ireland and organized by the Confucius Institute at University College Cork.

The competition drew the presence of many distinguished guests, including the Lord Mayor of Cork, Mr. Cllr. Dan Boyle; Deputy Mayor of Cork County, Ms. Cllr. Ann Marie Ahern; First Secretary for Education of the Chinese Embassy, Ms. Zhu Xikun; Second Secretary for Culture, Ms. Hu Yaodan; Executive Officer of Enterprise Cork County Council Economic Development & Strategic Planning, Ms. Lee Wah Pay; and Chinese Co-Director of the Confucius Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Galway, Mr. Li Ren. Ms. Xie Jiangnan, Chinese Co-Director of the UCD Confucius Institute, was invited as a special guest and presented awards to the winners. Miss. Hu Mengwen, a Chinese language teacher, served as one of the judges.

Distinguished Guests at the Event

The three contestants representing the UCD Confucius Institute delivered exceptional performances, securing several major awards. Chloe Holohan won First Prize with her remarkable performance, while Keely Costello and Nathan Carr were each awarded Second Prize.

The UCD Confucius Institute Team

This year’s competition carried the theme “Dreams of Chinese, Youthful Aspirations,” attracting outstanding participants from secondary schools across Ireland. The event consisted of two parts: a Chinese language speech and a talent performance, comprehensively evaluating students’ proficiency in Chinese and their understanding of Chinese culture.

In the speech section, Chloe Holohan impressed the judges with her eloquent reflections on the poetic beauty of the Chinese language through the lens of intercultural communication. She skillfully cited the classical Chinese verse “The trees flourish in joy, the spring flows in quiet grace,” showcasing her deep cultural insight. Keely Costello told the heartfelt story of her connection to Chinese kung fu in fluent Mandarin, with precise pronunciation and genuine emotion that moved the judges. Meanwhile, Nathan Carr shared humorous and charming anecdotes from his Chinese learning journey, eliciting bursts of laughter from the audience.

In the talent performance segment, each contestant showcased their unique skills. Chloe Holohan sang a popular theme song from the hit animated film Ne Zha. Keely Costello delivered a powerful and elegant Chinese staff (qimei gun) performance infused with Irish cultural elements, demonstrating the beauty of Chinese martial arts and the harmony of Chinese-Irish cultural fusion. Nathan Carr delighted the audience with a guitar rendition of the Chinese song “I Want to Find You.”

Chloe Holohan performing a theme song from Ne Zha

Keely Costello’s qimei staff performance blending Irish elements

Nathan Carr singing “I Want to Find You” with guitar

Following intense competition, Chloe Holohan was awarded First Prize for her all-around excellence. Keely Costello and Nathan Carr earned Second Prizes respectively. Meanwhile, UCD Confucius Institute teacher Miss. Zhang Qihong received the “Outstanding Instructor Award.”

Chloe Holohan receives the First Prize from Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Dan Boyle and First Secretary for Education Ms. Zhu Xikun

Deputy Mayor Cllr. Ann Marie Ahern and Chinese Co-Director of UCC Confucius Institute Mr. Shen Liang present Second Prize awards

Second Secretary for Culture Ms. Hu Yaodan and Ms. Lee Wah Pay present awards for Outstanding Organization and Outstanding Instructor

This competition not only provided Irish secondary school students with a platform to showcase their Chinese language skills, but also served as a vital bridge for promoting cultural exchange between China and Ireland. Through the event, students in Ireland enhanced their linguistic abilities while gaining deeper appreciation and recognition of Chinese culture.

The UCD Confucius Institute will continue to leverage its strengths in Chinese language education, cultivating more talented Chinese learners and contributing to the enduring friendship between China and Ireland.

Group Photo: Celebrating the Beautiful Chapter of the “Chinese Bridge”