Students who participated in poems, songs and quiz in Chinese language were on Thursday awarded prizes by Chinese embassy in Kigali.

The competition dubbed Chinese Bridge was organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda's College of Education in conjunction with the Chinese embassy in Rwanda.

It took place at the Confucius Institute at Rwanda's College of Education. It attracted 16 secondary school students from Gatsibo Community Model School, Inyange Girls' School in Rulindo and G.S.O. B Indatwa z'inkesha.

Ten competitors were selected who competed in poems, songs and quiz in Chinese.

Best four participants were then selected who competed in Chinese art from which the final winner was selected.

Gloria Iradukunda from Inyange Girls School emerged the winner, walking away with prizes that included an ipad, a notebook and a trip to Beijing for the global final in September.

The second runner up got a notepad and a notebook while the rest of the finalists received note books.

The institute also rewarded all the 16 students who participated in the competition with notebooks, files and certificates of participation.

At the ceremony, Chinese ambassador to Rwanda Shen Yongxiang urged the students to use the language they have learned as a bridge between their respective countries.

"Language is a bridge between our countries. It gives you the opportunity to learn from China, learn from the economic development and their advancement," he said.

The competition is part of efforts to build a firm relationship between the countries, according to the Chinese Confucius Institute director, Mark Zhang.

"Rwandans can learn from the Chinese...we want to promote the young people in middle school and college to open their eyes so they can find new friends and learn from the Chinese history," he said.

The Senior Five student of Math, Computer and Economics combination who won the competition said the win came as a surprise to her.

Iradukunda, who had learnt Chinese for a year and a half said she had got motivation to try and master the language.

She said she was motivated by her love for the Chinese culture and history to learn the language.

The Confucius Institute was opened in 2009 at the University of Rwanda's College of Education to teach Chinese language and culture in Rwanda. It is open to College students and outsiders.