Putting in a good word for culture

Candidates had to answer questions on various fields about China, such as ancient poems, proverbs and allusions, and hotly debated topics online. Zhang says they were unexpectedly amazed that the children had such a deep understanding of Chinese culture and history.

"When the program guests asked them some questions that even a Chinese person may find it difficult to answer, these young candidates were able to share their own opinions and provide details," he says.

He was also impressed by the scene of candidates in the unique costume of their own country and showing their talents.

"As a mature program, Chinese Bridge continues to offer a platform for young Chinese learners from all over the world to communicate with each other and enjoy the delight of learning Chinese and experiencing Chinese culture," he says.

The 2022 program started in August and most recordings were done online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The hosting team in Beijing had an emergency plan in case of technical issues with candidate networks. All candidates stayed online for at least an hour before the formal recording began. If a candidate suddenly went offline during the recording of question-and-answer sessions, the hosting team would use previously recorded scenes and contact the candidate timely so that they knew the answers the candidate gave.