By Nkiruka Nnorom

In a vibrant celebration of cultural exchange, AiFei Chinese School, weekend, hosted a captivating song competition that brought together talented Nigerian students of the school to showcase their Chinese language skills, fostering deeper ties between China and Nigeria.

The event was more than just a musical extravaganza; it was a testament to the power of language and culture in bridging friendships and promoting mutual understanding.

Through the song, the participants displayed not only a love for the Chinese language, but also outstanding linguistic talent.

Throughout the competition, participants demonstrated not only impressive vocal abilities but also a deep appreciation of the Chinese language and culture.

This align strongly with the contest’s objective of strengthening cultural ties between China and Africa through meaningful people-to-people engagement, Efe Shuaibu, Founder and CEO, AiFei Chinese School, said.

He highlighted the school’s mission to empower Nigerian youths through Chinese language education, saying that graduates have secured jobs in Chinese companies, while others were studying abroad on scholarships.

He assured that the school would remain committed to training excellent students and fostering cultural exchange.

Ms. Yan Yuqing, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, emphasised the importance of language education in promoting mutual understanding and friendship between China and Nigeria.
Represented by Consul Luo Jianping, Yuqing stressed that China and Nigeria were good friends, partners and brothers with deepening relations and fruitful achievements in various fields.

“Language is a bridge of communication, and music is a bond between hearts. Here today, as we will listen to these beautiful Chinese songs, we will appreciate not only the rhythmic beauty of the language, but also a vivid picture of cultural integration,” she said.

“The event is not only a showcase of Chinese language learning, but also a brilliant practise of cross-cultural exchange.

It shows us that through language and art, people from different countries and cultures can be brought close together.”

“We believe that people-to-people exchange is a vital foundation of China-Nigeria relations, and language education is a key part of it. Through learning Chinese, more Nigerian friends can gain a deeper understanding of China’s history, culture, and development, injecting lasting vitality into the mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples.

“We also hope that, through more events like today’s, more young people will be encouraged to engage in cause of China-Nigeria friendship and become invoiced in promoting exchange and cooperation,” Yuqing added.

She assured that China would further expand and deepen practical cooperation with Nigeria in various sectors, including economy, trade, education, technology, and other fields, with language as a medium and culture as a bridge.
The preliminary contest showcased remarkable talent across two categories. In the adult category, a total of 24 contestants competed with passion and skill, out of which 10 outstanding performers advanced to the finals, which will hold on July 25.

In the children’s category, young contestants also delivered impressive performances, with seven participants qualifying for the final stage.