CHINESE chess, also known as Xiangqi, is gaining popularity among Lebanese youths, with many seeing it as an integral part of learning about Chinese culture. The Confucius Institute at Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut recently organized the inaugural Confucius Institute Xiangqi Championship, attracting around 70 participants from Lebanon and China. One of the participants, Moslem Nasrallah, expressed his eagerness to enhance his proficiency in Chinese chess and participate in international competitions. Nasrallah, who had previously played regular chess, found it easy to grasp Chinese chess, which fosters critical thinking skills. Elie Al-Mallah, a 23-year-old Lebanese who studied Chinese translation at the Lebanese University, believes that playing Chinese chess is essential for understanding Chinese culture. The head of the Xiangqi Committee in Lebanon, Elias Abou Jaoude, expressed the committee’s focus on promoting Chinese chess in schools through seminars, emphasizing its cognitive benefits for children. He hopes to make the USJ’s Chinese chess competition an annual tradition and expects increased participation in the future.(Xinhua) | 