Dr Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities,

Distinguished guests and judges,

Dear teachers, students and friends,

Good morning! Namaste!

It is my great pleasure to attend the India regional finals and the award ceremony of the 2026 “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College and Secondary school Students. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in India, I would like to extend my warm congratulations to our award-winning students, and my sincere gratitude to the five judges for their professionalism, dedication, and impartial judgement. Taking this opportunity, I would also like to extend my sincere regards and gratitude to friends from all walks of life, who have long supported Chinese language education and contributed to friendly exchanges between our two countries.

Last month, I had the pleasure of joining over 150 Indian teachers and students to celebrate the International Chinese Language Day. The students gave lively performances in Chinese and experienced traditional Chinese arts and crafts, such as calligraphy, paper-cutting, tea art and rubbings. Today we gather here for the exciting finals of the “Chinese Bridge” competition in India, where all contestants showed a solid grasp of Chinese, as well as their vitality and confidence. It is truly heartening to see that, despite coming from different age groups and backgrounds, you are united by a shared passion for the Chinese language, and have gained valuable experience and friendship through this competition. As exchanges and cooperation between China and India continue to deepen, the aspiration among young Indians to learn Chinese is growing stronger. Last week, speaking on behalf of the Chinese Foreign Minister at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, I emphasized that BRICS countries should strengthen mutual learning and exchanges, deepen educational cooperation, and organize more people-to-people and cultural exchange activities. I believe the Chinese language, as a bridge, will further promote mutual understanding and friendship between the young people of our two countries, bringing their hearts closer together and fostering ever stronger bonds.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the “Chinese Bridge” competition. Known as the "Olympics" in the field of international Chinese language education, the competition is not only a stage to showcase Chinese language skills and learning achievements, but also an important platform for young students to broaden their horizons and pursue their dreams. Over the past 25 years, many outstanding young people have gone on to embrace broader opportunities through the “Chinese Bridge” platform. Last year, an Indian contestant who performed exceptionally well in the competition was offered a position at China Southern Airlines. Today, China enjoys an increasing momentum of economic growth and keeps advancing Chinese modernization. Proficiency in Chinese and a deep understanding of Chinese culture will become important professional advantages. We will soon launch the “Experiencing China” study tour program for Indian youth to visit China. This year's “Chinese Bridge” contestants will be given priority to participate, and will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the dynamism and achievements of Chinese modernization. Looking ahead, we will continue to create more opportunities for learning and exchange, provide greater support for personal development and inject fresh youthful energy into China-India relations.

Dear students,

China and India are neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, and cannot be moved apart. China-India friendship requires not only strategic guidance from leaders of both countries, but also mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples, especially among the younger generation. I encourage each of you to work harder to learn the Chinese language, gain a deeper understanding of China, and become envoys of China-India friendship. I hope you will keep honing your skills, broaden your vision, and fulfill your dreams. Let us work together to create a brighter future for our two nations.

Thank you!