Ran Lai from Mauritius said Chinese had given him "unforgettable firsts", from summer camp and flying kites to Chinese calligraphy. What made him happiest was that learning Chinese not only introduced him to a fascinating culture but also helped him make friends from around the world.

"My father visited China twice and loved it," said Ren Xue, a contestant from Botswana. "He also learned Chinese. Influenced by him, I developed a strong interest in Chinese culture and started learning the language too."

Since its launch in 2021, the competition has been held annually and now draws participants from 97 countries. Organizers say some 350,000 primary and secondary school students have taken part in preliminary contests, with more than 3,200 reaching the global finals.

Bao Yan contributed to this story.