Chinese song competition in Malaysia draws vocal talent from university students

A contestant sings during a Chinese song competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov. 24, 2018. Students studying the Chinese language in Malaysia joined a Chinese song competition on Saturday to showcase their love of the Chinese language and culture. (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung)

Students studying the Chinese language in Malaysia joined a Chinese song competition on Saturday to showcase their love of the Chinese language and culture.

The 40 finalists came from several hundred participants as the singing competition was well received by multiple universities in the country.

Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, told the students that "both governments are committed to the continuity of the relations, the task falls on you, the young students," he said.

Wang Zhenghai, Chinese director of the Kong Zi Institute at University of Malaya, said the event was aimed at promoting greater understanding among Malaysian people, especially the younger generation, of China and the Chinese culture, to foster closer communication and exchanges between China and Malaysia.

The Kong Zi Institute at University of Malaya, which was founded in 2009 as the first Confucius Institute in Malaysia, has hosted the competition since 2014.