YEREVAN, May 8 -- A contest featuring Chinese language for Armenian college students was held here at the Yerevan State Linguistic University (YSLU) on Thursday.

Eight students from three Armenian universities and Yerevan's Confucius Institute competed in three segments including free speeches, questions &answers and artistic performances in the event, which was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Armenia in cooperation with the Yerevan's Confucius Institute.

The top prize went to Asya Samvelyan, who was followed by Anush Minasyan. The two will represent Armenia for the final world contest, the 14th "Chinese Bridge" Competition to be held in China later this year.

"At the present, the cooperation between the two countries has reached a qualitatively new level of strategic, trade and economic partnership," said Tian Erlong, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China.

An avid interest in China among Armenian youth is visible, the ambassador said, noting he has witnessed the opening of three Chinese language centers in Yerevan since his appointment in Armenia in November 2014.

Deputy Speaker of Armenia's Parliament Hermine Naghdalyan said that the competition is not just a cultural event, it is also a very important part of the mission on deepening of the bilateral partnership, she said.

The "Chinese Bridge" Competition is an annual event organized by the Office of Chinese Language Council International with the Chinese Hanban affiliated to the Ministry of Education of China. It has been held for university students of Chinese language and culture around the world since 2002.