University student wins Chinese Bridge language contest in Mexico

　　Monica Sandoval (C) cheers after winning the national final of the 14th "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, May 22, 2015. (Xinhua/Pedro Mera)

　　MEXICO CITY, May 22 (Xinhua) -- A Mexican student on Friday won the 14th Chinese Bridge language proficiency competition for college students in the country.

　　Monica Rodriguez, a student of international relations who studies Chinese at the Foreign Language Center of National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), won the Mexico round of the competition and will go on to represent her country in June at the world final in Hunan, China.

　　During the contest, Rodriguez interpreted a traditional dance that bore a resemblance to the Spanish flamenco.

　　The contest was organized by the Chinese Embassy and the UNAM's Confucius Institute in a bid to promote the Chinese culture and language in the Latin American country.

　　The Chinese Bridge, a competition in which people from all over the world show their proficiency in Mandarin, evaluates each competitor's language knowledge and skills, as well as artistic talents.

　　Launched in 2002, the competition has drawn the participation of more than 600 contestants from over 50 countries.

　　Attendees watch the national final of the 14th "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, May 22, 2015. (Xinhua/Pedro Mera)

　　A competitor dances during the national final of the 14th "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, May 22, 2015. (Xinhua/Pedro Mera)