The event provided a platform for students to express their passion for the Chinese language and share their dreams of visiting China.

VALLETTA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Six students from the University of Malta showcased their Chinese language skills and talents on Wednesday during the Maltese leg of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for foreign university students.

The event, held at the university and organized by the Confucius Institute, provided a platform for students to express their passion for the Chinese language and share their dreams of visiting China.

Following their speeches delivered in Chinese, participants demonstrated talents, such as singing Chinese songs, playing Chinese music with piano or flute, performing shadow puppetry or reading a Chinese poem. The performances captivated the audience, who responded with enthusiastic applause.

Marie Claire Aquilina won the first prize in the competition and will travel to China to represent the University of Malta in the global finals. Aquilina is currently pursuing a master's degree in translation and hopes to one day work as a translator between Chinese and Maltese, or become a Chinese language teacher.

Second-place winner Matilde Ferrario would also have the opportunity to visit China. "Knowing Chinese will help me a lot with my future job hunting," said Ferrario, who hopes to pursue a career in tourism.

Dennis Mizzi, foreign director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Malta, expressed hope that more students would take up the study of Chinese.■