Language connects the world, and friendship grows ever stronger.

In the golden autumn, participants from various countries gathered in Tianjin for the 17th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Secondary School Students, united by their shared passion for the language.

On the 17th, the contestants began their journey in Tianjin with a visit to the Ninghe District’s Qilihai Town, home to the “Ninghe Daoxiang Eco-Park.” This year, the park, known for its Guinness World Record-holding rice paddy art, teamed up with the “Chinese Bridge” competition. Using the earth as a canvas and rice paddies as their medium, they created a stunning visual representation of the harmony between ecology and culture.

As the vast fields rolled with golden waves of rice, the colorful rice paddy artwork prominently featured the “Chinese Bridge” logo and depicted lively mascots. Participants hopped onto an eco-friendly train, traversing the sea of rice, walking through the fields to experience agriculture firsthand, all while enjoying a journey that brought them closer to nature. From the observation tower, they listened to the rhythm of Tianjin’s traditional percussion and recited classic Chinese poetry. From the “rice paddy paintings” to tales of friendship, everyone shared a delightful journey celebrating “Chinese Rice,” sowing the seeds of camaraderie in their hearts.