A student participates in the 18th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition in Msida, Malta, on May 16, 2019. The 18th "Chinese Bridge", Chinese proficiency competition, was held on Thursday at the University of Malta in Msida, west of the capital Valletta. (Xinhua/Yuan Yun)

VALLETTA, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The 18th "Chinese Bridge", Chinese proficiency competition, was held on Thursday at the University of Malta in Msida, west of the capital Valletta.

Nine students, from the Confucius Institute at the University of Malta, took part in the annual Chinese Proficiency Competition. Three Chinese language learners, from the China Cultural Center in Malta, also gave their Chinese speeches at this event.

Under the theme "One World, One Family", participants showed their comprehension of the Chinese language, culture during the three-part competitions: free speech, question and answer as well as the talent show.

Maria Debono,the first year student of the Confucius Institute at the University of Malta , won the first place among the contestants with fluent speech and language application skills.

"I think the Chinese language is very unique since (it) gives me an opportunity to better understand the Chinese culture, I am very excited to continue studying it," said Maria Debono.

Debono will travel to China to participate in the global competition, while the second winner will get an opportunity to watch the competition in China.

This is the third time that the competition is held in Malta.