Students from the Confucius Institute at the University of Guadalajara (CI) recently celebrated remarkable achievements in the Mexico regional selection contests for the 19th "Chinese Bridge" World Chinese Competition for Secondary School Students and the 25th "Chinese Bridge" World Chinese Competition for College Students.

Jonathan Alejandro Mercado García secured the runner-up position in the secondary school category, while Néstor Pérez received an Excellence Award. In the college category, Poulette Sepúlveda won the Best Talent Award. These three honors fully demonstrate the CI's solid achievements and unremitting efforts in Chinese language teaching and cultural promotion.

Secondary School Category: Student Brilliance on the Mérida Stage

On April 24, 2026, the Mexico regional selection for the 19th "Chinese Bridge" World Chinese Competition for Secondary School Students successfully concluded in Mérida. Hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Mexico and organized by the CI at the Autonomous University of Yucatán, the competition attracted outstanding contestants from the CIs in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Chihuahua, Yucatán, and various secondary schools.

Jonathan Alejandro Mercado García won the runner-up prize with his fluent Chinese speech and a stunning clapper talk (Kuaiban) performance. During the speech segment, he shared the story of how he connected with the Chinese language in standard, fluent Mandarin, expressing his sincere love for Chinese culture. In the talent showcase, the crisp rhythm of the bamboo clappers, paired with his accurate Chinese pronunciation, vividly embodied the spirit of "friendship first, competition second," earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.

During the preparation period, his instructor, Cao Miduo, developed a systematic training plan for him. From speech intonation and impromptu Q&A to talent performances and cultural knowledge, they repeatedly refined and tackled each challenge. This effectively enhanced Jonathan's comprehensive Chinese proficiency and ability to handle on-site pressure, helping him deliver a near-perfect performance.

Another contestant, Néstor Pérez, also delivered an outstanding performance. Relying on his excellent language skills, steady composure, and great teamwork, he was awarded the Excellence Award.

From the preliminary selection to the competition, instructor Yan Xuejiao provided meticulous guidance throughout, accompanying him as he grew from a novice into a poised performer. After the contest, Yan remarked, "Watching him make such an astonishing leap from the early stages of preparation to the final stage fills my heart with a sense of achievement, much like nurturing a rising star." She noted that this is not only an affirmation of the student's hard work but also the best reflection of the responsibilities of international Chinese teachers.

College Category: New Breakthroughs on the Chihuahua Stage

On June 5, 2026, the Mexico regional selection for the 25th "Chinese Bridge" World Chinese Competition for College Students successfully concluded at the Autonomous University of Chihuahua.

The competition brought together outstanding students from six CIs and universities in Chihuahua, Nuevo León, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Yucatán, and Veracruz, making it highly competitive. As the CI's first representative in the "Chinese Bridge" college competition, Poulette Sepúlveda remained composed under pressure and secured the "Best Talent Award" with her exceptional performance, marking a breakthrough achievement.

The event was fully attended and featured a vibrant atmosphere. Mr. Wang Yong, Education Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Mexico, and Mr. Hu Guoshun, Cooperation Specialist, were present. The host institution's president, Luis Alfonso Rivera Campos, vice president Martha Lorena Mill Calderón, the directors of the CI at the Autonomous University of Chihuahua, the Chinese director of the CI at the University of Guadalajara, and directors from other Mexican CI all attended the event.

In the Chinese speech segment, Poulette spoke on the theme of "One World, One Family," sharing her dream of becoming a diplomat and her desire to use Chinese to build a bridge of friendship between China and Mexico. Her natural, fluent delivery and sincere emotions won the recognition of the judges. For her talent showcase, she played the renowned Hulusi (a traditional Chinese free-reed wind instrument) piece, Bamboo Grove in Moonlight. Her melodious tune and steady breath control perfectly showcased the charm of traditional Chinese musical instruments.

After the competition, Poulette admitted that she could have performed even better. Despite some minor regrets, the experience strengthened her resolve to master Chinese and achieve her diplomatic dreams. Her instructor, Zou Xingkai, worked closely with her during the preparation period to repeatedly refine her speech content and emotional delivery. They also conducted mock competitions, which provided strong support for her steady performance on stage.

Conclusion: Chasing Dreams in Chinese, Making the Most of Youth

From Mérida to Chihuahua, and from secondary school students to college students, the students from the CI have repeatedly shone on the "Chinese Bridge" stage. The runner-up prize, the Excellence Award, the Best Talent Award... behind every honor lies the joint effort and unwavering dedication of the students, their instructors, and all the CI teachers. While there may be regrets, they serve as the driving force for the next journey.

Looking ahead, the CI will take these dual achievements as a new starting point to continue deepening its Chinese language teaching and cultural promotion. By using competitions to promote teaching and learning, the Institute will help more students get on the fast track of learning Chinese, stepping out from Guadalajara onto a broader global stage.