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    Dressed in a variety of ancient Chinese costumes, all the contestants performed a drama named “Legend” to conclude the competition.

    Each of the finalists was given a certificate and cash prizes ranging from 2,000 yuan to 8,000 yuan.

    More than 350 local expats registered this year. The competition was hosted by the Organizing Committee of the Shenzhen Speaks Foreign Languages campaign, the Foreign Affairs Office and the Information Office of the Shenzhen Municipal Government and organized by Shenzhen Daily.

    “The competition is expected to improve expatriates’ understanding of Chinese culture and encourage them to learn Chinese. Meanwhile, foreigners are expected to become a bridge connecting Shenzhen with the world,” said Huang Guoqiang, vice secretary general of the Shenzhen Municipal Government.

    Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau figures show there are about 460,000 expatriates from 115 countries in the city. Of these, more than 20,000 are living here permanently or for at least one year. The number of foreigners visiting Shenzhen and staying overnight was 1.68 million in 2010, Shenzhen tourist authority figures show.