On May 2, 2025, Director Wang Ying of the Confucius Institute at Middle East Technical University (METU CI) led teachers Wang Kangjing and Xie Mingming, along with eight students, to the Confucius Institute at Yeditepe University in Istanbul to participate in the 4th "Chinese Poetry Recitation Competition for Turkish University Students" and the 4th "Chinese Song Karaoke Contest for Turkish University Students." Contestants came from Yeditepe University, Boğaziçi University, Okan University, Nevşehir University, Hacı Bayram Veli University, and Middle East Technical University. Mr. Wu Jian, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Istanbul, attended the event. In this national Chinese language competition, every member of the METU delegation won an award, showcasing the outstanding achievements of METU CI in Chinese language education and the excellence of its teachers and students.

In the Chinese Poetry Recitation Competition:Eren Berk Karabulut won First Prize for his powerful and passionate recitation of Snow – To the Tune of Qin Yuan Chun (《沁园春·雪》);Şeyda Temel won Second Prize for her heartfelt performance of Nostalgia (《乡愁》);Fatma Kışlal received Third Prize for her moving recitation of I Love You, China (《我爱你，中国》);Ali Tarık Birsoy was awarded an Excellence Prize for his immersive rendition of Farewell Again to Cambridge (《再别康桥》).

In the Chinese Song Karaoke Contest: Zekeriya Kocabaş won First Prize for his lively and humorous performance of Look Over Here, Girl (《对面的女孩看过来》);Fatma Doğan received Third Prize for her emotional interpretation of As One Wishes (《如愿》);Umut Keleş and Sude Nur Aydın performed a duet of No Reason (《没有理由》) with great harmony and coordination, earning them both an Excellence Prize.

During the preparation process, teachers Wang Kangjing and Xie Mingming provided highly personalized coaching tailored to each student's language proficiency, performance style, and interests. From poem and song selection to pronunciation, rhythm, emotional expression, stage presence, and overall performance, both teachers devoted immense effort to help the students shine confidently on stage and enhance both their language abilities and comprehensive skills.

After the competition, the award-winning students expressed that the experience not only improved their Chinese expression skills but also deepened their interest and love for Chinese poetry and musical culture. First prize poetry winner Eren Berk Karabulut remarked, "Under my teacher's guidance, I truly experienced the grandeur and beauty embedded in Chinese poetry. This competition has strengthened my determination to master Chinese." First prize song winner Zekeriya Kocabaş shared, "It felt so special to sing on stage in Chinese. Chinese is such a charming language. Thank you to our teachers for their constant encouragement and support."

The excellent results of this competition are a testament to the students' perseverance and the teachers' dedicated and thoughtful instruction. METU CI will continue to deepen its Chinese language education efforts, promote the integrated development of language and culture, provide broader platforms and opportunities for student growth, and cultivate more talented individuals who love Chinese and understand China.