Students help build bridges of Australia-China friendship through song and dance

SYDNEY, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,100 Australian school students showed off their artistic talent and Chinese language skills at the Sydney Chinese Language Spectacular 2016 music extravaganza on Wednesday night.

The Consul General of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Sydney Gu Xiaojie, along with about 2,000 spectators and dignitaries, saw the performance of the students from 30 schools which organisers hoped would reflect the bridges of friendship between China and Australia through harmonious song and dance.

"I'm both delighted and impressed by the spirit of diversity, friendship and cultural exchange found in Australia and in New South Wales in particular," Gu said in an address to the gathered audience at Sydney's Town Hall.

"It is wonderful to see so many students learning the Chinese language, arts and culture. It is precisely through events like these that we continue to promote better understanding between our two countries."

Highlights of the show presented by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the Chinese Language Teachers Association of NSW, included a martial arts performance in the "style" of the legendary Monkey King or Sun Wukong by Sydney's prestigious The King's School, and a colorful Chinese opera dance put up by students from Carlingford West Public School.

The president of the Chinese Language Teachers Association of NSW, Maria Xu, said the event has become an increasingly enriching and satisfying experience for teachers, parents and students, amid the rising popularity of Chinese classes across the schools.

"It's a wonderful platform to show what the students are enjoying and the achievements they've been making in their classes," Xu said.

UNSW vice-president, international, Fiona Docherty said the show, now in its third year, is one of the flagship events of the university's calendar.

"We really understand the importance of connecting young people, between Australia and China," Docherty said.