We've grown used to English sweeping across the globe, but can you imagine — youth from 133 countries fluently reciting poetry, sharing their dreams, and joking with one another in Chinese? This is the vibrant scene at the 24th Chinese Bridge competition. Some are enchanted by Li Bai, the great Tang dynasty poet known for his romantic verses; others are fascinated by works of Yu Hua and Wang Xiaobo, the famous contemporary writers in China; while still others began learning Chinese out of admiration for China's scientific progress. Their journeys may start differently, but they all arrive at the same destination: falling in love with Chinese, and coming to understand China.