"From my early childhood, I have been having a dream that I will have a pair of wings to fly and soar in the blue sky one day. Now learning Chinese has made this dream come true for me."
"Learning Chinese has endowed me wings to fly over thousands of miles to enjoy the beautiful mountains and rivers of China, and to appreciate the infinite charm of Chinese culture," said Henry Underhill from Wellington College in New Zealand at the finals of "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students in New Zealand. The enjoyable and festive Chinese New Year, pretty tasty dumplings, colorful lanterns and the crowded markets impressed me a lot, which made me fall in love with China deeply."
Sixteen-year-old Henry Underhill won the first place in the 14th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students in New Zealand and will represent New Zealand in the global finals. He impressed the judges and the audience with his Beijing accent in the competition. If you close your eyes to listen what he says, you would probably think he is a Beijing boy.
With blond hair and a pair of black-rimmed glasses, Henry Underhill was a bit shy when facing the reporter's interview. He told the reporter that his mother is Swedish and his father is New Zealander, while he was born in Beijing due to his parents' work and spent 11 wonderful years in Beijing.
"Playing with Chinese friends together in my eleven years' growth, I thought I was Chinese." Henry Underhill said giggling, "No one has ever told me I was a foreigner."
Henry Underhill said learning Chinese well has allowed him to communicate better with the Chinese people. "There are so many wonderful things to learn from Chinese culture, but many Westerners don't understand China." He said.
Henry Underhill told the reporter that he desires to visit Huangshan Mountain in China, and he likes scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and in the future he would like to become a good Chinese language translator. "It is a great honor to build a bridge between New Zealand and China with Chinese." Henry Underhill said. (cited from Center for Language Education and Cooperation, Sources：Xinhua News Agency, Wellington, Reporters Guo Lei & Lu Huaiqian)
