On 5 June 2026, Chinese Ambassador Zhou Ding attended the 2026 Chinese Bridge Competition Finals in Zimbabwe and delivered remarks. Professor Hodson Makurira, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe, joined some 300 faculty and students from the university’s Confucius Institute at the event. 

Congratulating all contestants on their excellent performances, Ambassador Zhou noted that Chinese Bridge has grown into a key link for people-to-people ties, cultural exchange, mutual learning and lasting friendship. As bilateral cooperation forges ahead across all fields, he encouraged young Zimbabwean learners of the Chinese language to embrace opportunities to broaden their global vision, hoping that they will bring youthful energy to building an all-weather China-Zimbabwe community with a shared future, and help advance global peace and prosperity. 

The Pro Vice-Chancellor spoke highly of the competition, saying it has boosted local Chinese language teaching and talent development, and that Zimbabwe looks forward to deeper educational cooperation with China to further cement friendship and support Zimbabwe’s national development.

The 19 contestants, from local universities, primary and secondary schools, impressed the judges and audience with fluent Chinese speeches and varied talent shows.