Monrovia, June 3, 2026 – The University of Liberia (UL) hosted the finals of the 25th Chinese Bridge Competition on May 26 at its Capitol Hill campus auditorium for a showcase of Chinese-language proficiency among foreign students.

A group photo at UL’s Capitol Hill Auditorium following the 25th Chinese Bridge competition

The event, the culmination of the Chinese Bridge program’s 25th edition in Liberia, featured 10 students from the university’s Confucius Institute. The finals were attended by UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan, the Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Yin Chengwu, and representatives of Chinese-funded enterprises. Government officials, UL administrators, faculty, staff, and students were also present.

UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan speaking at the ceremony

Students to represent Liberia in further rounds
After the competition, Ms. Chillin D. Mason won the grand prize and will represent Liberia in China for the next stage of the Chinese Bridge Competition for Foreign Students. She will be joined by third prize winners Emmanuel Myers Chea, Archie Layee Kelleh, Jr., and Isaiah J. Johnson, Jr., who will witness the competition.

Chinese Ambassador H.E. Yin Chengwu awards Ms. Chillin D. Mason as winner of the grand prize

Second prize winners were Janet S. Sheriff, Francis Massah, and Chris S. Cooper. The UL Confucius Institute organized the program in collaboration with the Embassy of China near Monrovia.

UL President links language learning to intercultural ties
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Layli Maparyan, President of the University of Liberia, said the Chinese Bridge Competition at UL was more than a competition of linguistic ability, describing it instead as a platform for intercultural understanding and global citizenship.

She said the program celebrates language, culture, friendship, and international cooperation, and drew on her personal experience of international engagement. In November last year, Dr. Maparyan said, she traveled to Beijing for the World Chinese Language Conference, alongside two UL Confucius Institute officials, and used the opportunity to visit UL partner institution, Changsha University of Science and Technology in Changsha.

UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan presents an award to Ms. Marjama P. Kamara

Third prize winners receiving awards

“The trip left me with a very favorable impression of why UL’s Chinese language and culture programs are so important. That’s why I’m thrilled to see what our students will do today,” Dr. Maparyan declared.

Dr. Maparyan also commended the Government and People of the People’s Republic of China for the program, saying the University of Liberia remains committed to fostering international partnerships that expand educational opportunities for students and to contribute to global engagement.

She said the collaboration with Chinese institutions – particularly through the Confucius Institute – has enriched the academic and cultural experiences of many library students by opening doors to language acquisition, cultural exchange, scholarships, and professional development.

Chinese ambassador praises expanding education ties
In special remarks, Chinese Ambassador Yin Chengwu congratulated the contestants and described their performance as reflecting a steadily rising level of Chinese language education in Liberia.

Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Yin Chengwu speaks at the program

He attributed the progress to the commitment of teachers and the efforts of students, while also noting that Chinese is among the world’s most widely spoken languages and carries “thousands of years” of Chinese civilization and knowledge.
Ambassador Yin said global interest in Chinese has grown significantly, adding that 19 countries have incorporated Chinese into national education systems and that the number of overseas Chinese learners and users has reached nearly 210 million.

Representatives of Chinese-funded enterprises at the program

He also cited the scale of the Chinese Bridge program, saying it has been held for 25 years, attracting more than 1.8 million participants from over 160 countries and regions.
The ambassador said the program can be summarized by three themes: dreams, cultures, and friendship, describing it as an initiative that encourages students to cross “mountains and seas,” better understand China, and pursue their own aspirations.

Confucius Institute’s impact in Liberia
Ambassador Yin said the Confucius Institute at UL was formally inaugurated in December 2008, and that during the past 18 years, it has trained more than 10,000 local Chinese-language professionals. He said some have pursued further studies in China, while others have become teachers or applied their skills in business and public service, including through translation and communication roles that support China–Liberia cooperation.

He also noted that interest in the Chinese language and culture has increased in recent years, including on social media.

Global initiatives and UN recognition
Linking the competition to broader international efforts, Ambassador Yin recalled that in 2023, China’s President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Civilization Initiative, calling for respect for diversity among world civilizations and for dialogue and mutual learning.

He further said that in 2024, the 78th session of the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution—supported by 83 countries, including China and Liberia—designating June 10 each year as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

(L-R) Chinese Amb. Yin and UL Pres. Dr. Maparyan

According to the ambassador, the Chinese Bridge competition supports the implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative by strengthening cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Africa.

Judges of the 25th Chinese Bridge Competition at UL

Students encouraged to keep learning
Ambassador Yin told the students to treat the finals as a new beginning, saying they should continue learning Chinese and deepening their understanding of Chinese culture, while encouraging more Liberians to learn about China and engage more closely with it.

Attendees of the program

Earlier, Ms. Song Weiyang, an instructor and Chinese director of UL’s Confucius Institute, formally declared the gathering as the finals of the 25th Chinese Bridge competition in Liberia. She said that over 25 years, the Chinese Bridge program has “built bridges” between China and Liberia, Africa, and the rest of the world.