Australian teens learn Chinese to broaden horizon

"That was crazy. After all this time I finally did it. I always thought maybe I could get first place but when it happened, it was kind of a surprise," the lively 15-year-old girl said post-match.

Richards says that what drew her toward Chinese culture was not only because she's been studying the language for the past decade.

"Once you can have a conversation with people in Chinese, you're more encouraged to keep learning the language, because you can actually converse with people," she says, noting that the language helped her experience the rich culture and history of China.

Growing up in Australia, a melting pot of diverse cultures, Richards has numerous Chinese friends and often visits their homes, during which she can speak with their parents and familiarize herself with Chinese customs.

"Learning about their lives gives you a broader perspective on the world," says Richards, who aspires to become an ambassador to boost communication between Australian and Chinese cultures.

During the event, China's acting Consul General in Sydney Wang Chunsheng pointed out that the Chinese language embodies the extensive and profound history and culture of China, with the number of people learning Chinese in Australia having surged to 190,000.

He hopes that more Australian friends will learn Chinese, pay more visits to China, share their firsthand experiences of China-Australia exchanges, and help enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

"To understand a culture and its people, it is important to have cross-cultural experiences. This includes not only language but also knowledge of customs, history, geography and arts," says Robert Kok, deputy mayor of Sydney.

"I think all of you are the best ambassadors for Australia when you represent us in China," Kok adds.

According to the Chinese Consulate General in Sydney, the organizer of the event, top performers will travel to China for the global championship.