Indonesia's Mandarin Learners Compete for Global Finals

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s growing enthusiasm for learning Mandarin is emerging as a key driver of stronger people-to-people ties with China, as dozens of students competed for places in the global Chinese Bridge finals during the Indonesian division of the competition held in Jakarta from June 12-14, 2026.

The annual contest, which attracted nearly 200 participants from elementary schools to universities across Indonesia, brought together students to demonstrate not only their Mandarin-language proficiency but also their understanding of Chinese culture.

A total of 84 contestants advanced to the national finals in three categories: elementary, secondary, and university levels.

Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong said educational and cultural cooperation between the two countries has produced encouraging results, with interest in Mandarin continuing to grow among Indonesians.

Indonesia became the world’s fifth-largest source of candidates for the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) last year, with more than 30,000 registrations.

“I hope all participants will use the Chinese Bridge competition as a starting point to continue nurturing their love for the Chinese language and their sincere understanding of Chinese culture," Wang said during the closing ceremony in Jakarta on Sunday, June 14, as quoted by Antara.

"Let language serve as a bridge and culture as a medium to strengthen friendship between China and Indonesia and write a new chapter of people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between the two countries,” Wang added.

Jakarta Mandarin Education Coordination Board Chairman Arifin Zain said the competition offers Indonesian youth an opportunity to broaden their international outlook and build a strong foundation for future careers.

He noted that expanding strategic cooperation between Indonesia and China has encouraged more Chinese companies and institutions to recruit Indonesian workers who possess not only Mandarin-language skills but also a solid understanding of Chinese culture.

The Chinese Bridge competition has been held annually in Indonesia for more than two decades. Winners from each category will represent Indonesia at the international Chinese Bridge finals in China later this year.

The university division was won by Hezel, a final-year student at Asia International Friendship Foreign Language College in North Sumatra. The 22-year-old delivered a speech highlighting the family-like bond between Indonesia and China despite differences in language and geographical distance, while also performing a traditional dance inspired by a fox.

“I have never been to China before, so I am very excited because it will be my first visit, but I am also a little nervous because I will be representing Indonesia,” Hezel said.

During the national finals, contestants showcased various elements of Chinese culture, including traditional dance, singing, storytelling accompanied by musical instruments, martial arts performances, and demonstrations of the traditional Diabolo game. ***