Mexican girl aces out for world match of Chinese language

Ten Mexican students studying Chinese gathered on Friday in Mexico City for the Final of the 14th Chinese Bridge Competition, flashing linguistic ability and bearing witness to the rising cultural exchange between China and Mexico. (Soundbite) Yao Fei, Political Counselor of Chinese Embassy in Mexico “I think language serves as a tool to promote mutual understanding, knowledge, friendship and cooperation. In this regard, we really applaud the successful conclusion of the competition in Mexico.” Monica Rodriguez Sandoval from the Foreign Language Center of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) outshined nine others to represent Mexico in the upcoming World Competition to be held in July in Hunan Province, where Chinese paramount leader Mao Zedong was born. (Soundbite) Monica Rodriguez, Champion “For me the Chinese language is very important due to my love for China. During my childhood, I wanted to know what the most difficult language to learn was in the world. I waited until my college time to have the chance for learning it. The language helps me know more about China and its culture.” The competition was jointly organized by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Mexico and the Confucius Institute at UNAM. So far, the institute has sent 39 Mexicans to China to improve their language and learn more of the Chinese culture. The institute registered 1,140 local students in the past three quarters and 420 more will come in the latter semesters.