A contestant performs during the final of the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Show for Primary School Students in Botswana, in Gaborone, capital of Botswana, June 5, 2026. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)

GABORONE, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The final of the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Show for Primary School Students in Botswana was held on Friday in the capital, Gaborone, aiming to strengthen people-to-people exchanges between China and the southern African country.

Organized by the Chinese Embassy in Botswana and hosted by the Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana (UB), the event featured a written test, a Chinese speech competition, and a Chinese talent performance, in which 11 participants demonstrated painting, martial arts, paper cutting, poetry recitation, singing, dancing and storytelling.

Speaking at the event, Tao Lili, minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Botswana, said the competition serves as an effective platform for promoting Chinese language education and cultural exchange.

She encouraged young students to embrace the joy of Chinese learning and grow into young envoys of friendship between China and Africa, as this year is also the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

Maria Nnyepi, UB deputy vice chancellor, praised the rapid progress of the cultural initiative and hailed the partnership between the university and local schools, stressing the importance of cultural appreciation in promoting mutual respect and understanding.

Lesego Masitara, chief education officer at the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, hailed the Chinese program for providing an opportunity to experience linguistic diversity, increasing Botswana children's skills, and strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Botswana and China.

For his part, Thapelo Otlogetswe, dean of the UB Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, and local director of the Confucius Institute, said the Chinese program will soon be expanded to government schools.