Monash Student Won 12th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency

In Front, Alistair Bayley and Hui Xu

A talented Monash student has become the first Australian to win the World Champion title of the 12th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for foreign university students.

First year Bachelor of Arts (Global) student, majoring in International Studies and Chinese Language, Alistair Bayley, was also named the Champion of Oceania and the Star of Chinese Language Learner, receiving eight years scholarship (for two degrees) to study in China.

The modest student said he did not expect the result.

“It still hasn’t sunk in yet, it feels quite surreal,” Alistair said.

Following his 30 second grand final speech encouraging the audience to vote for him, Alistair said he was feeling fairly confident, but as he already knew a score from an earlier round was lower than some of the other contestants, he wasn't expecting to become world champion.

“When they announced the result, I think I was a bit overwhelmed. I was thinking about how I couldn't believe I had won, how my month in China had come to an end, and how I was so glad that I had the opportunity to spend that time with such incredible people from all around the world,” Alistair said.

“I still can't believe I received the award, so I don't think I've fully realised its significance yet. However, I know for sure that it's a testament to the efforts of my teachers at Monash.”

Alistair’s coach and lecturer of Chinese Studies Hui Xu said this has been the highest achievement of a series of strong performances and awards won by a number of Monash students at this competition since 2005.

“I was very excited when I received a mobile phone message from Alistair telling me he’d won,” Ms Xu said.

“As a Chinese language teacher, nothing makes me happier than to see the success of my students, especially in winning a competition at the highest level. I am very proud of him.”

The prestigious competition is an annual event funded by the Chinese government to promote the study of Chinese language by non-native speakers around the world and has attracted a large number of contestants since it started in 2002.

Over the past month, 123 competitors from 77 countries participated in the finals in Changsha, China.

The rigorous competition involves a range of Chinese language and culture tests, written exams, interviews, artistic performances, speeches, Chinese cultural tour race, role-playing and performing Chinese comedy and traditional Chinese drama.

During one of Alistair’s artistic performances he introduced the Melbourne Cup to the Chinese audience.

The finals were broadcast by Hunan Satellite TV station, a famous TV station in China, and attracted a large number of viewers. The broadcast was also ranked as one of top TV programs and Alistair became very popular in China. Ms Xu said his performance was described as “brilliant”, had “superior strength” and “outstanding” by some major Chinese media.