The 2025 Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreigners across the Globe – Storytelling Contest concluded on July 9 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Jocelyn (Chinese name: 曹秋慧 Cao Qiuhui), an international student from Indonesia studying at Nankai University, distinguished herself among 50 finalists from around the world and received the “Outstanding Eloquence”, one of three major individual awards. She was recognized for her strong command of Chinese and unique cultural perspectives.

In her eloquent speech, Jocelyn vividly transported the audience to the vibrant capital of Tang Dynasty, Chang’an. Through rich and evocative storytelling, she brought to life historical scenes such as bustling trade in the East and West Markets of Chang’an, the monk Xuanzang’s legendary journey to the West, and Sun Simiao’s invention of gunpowder. Her narrative not only captured the Tang era’s spirit of openness and inclusiveness, but also drew insightful connections between the historical roots of Chinatowns and today’s Belt and Road Initiative, with its emphasis on win-win cooperation. Her performance created a dialogue across time, linking ancient openness and inclusiveness with today’s mutual inspiration and dialogue among civilizations. Closely aligned with the Contest’s theme of “Stories Drawn from Real Life, Told With Genuine Feeling”, Jocelyn’s thoughtful and emotionally engaging delivery was widely praised by judges and audience.

Jocelyn attributed her inspiration to the historical and cultural insights she had gained through her studies and her personal experiences in China. She expressed her hope that language could act as a bridge, allowing more people to recognize the cultural affinities between China and Indonesia.

In recent years, Nankai University has deepened its commitment to Chinese language education for international students, while actively developing integrated platforms for cultural immersion. The university encourages students to experience China’s rich cultural heritage firsthand and deepen their understanding of the country through cross-cultural comparison and engagement.