New Chinese proficiency exam for overseas Chinese piloted

A Chinese proficiency exam specifically designed for overseas Chinese is being tested in ten countries, developers of the exam told Xinhua Wednesday.

Whereas the existing Chinese proficiency exam, also called HSK, is for foreigners in general, the new test of HSC was designed for overseas Chinese, especially teenagers, Hu Jun, president of Jinan University said.

The HSC test, developed by Jinan University, is being tested in six Southeast Asian countries, the Netherlands, Britain, the United States and Brazil.

Developers will use feedback from the testing period to improve the HSC before it is rolled out around the world. It will be recognized by the Chinese government, Hu said.

Language plays an important role in bonding overseas Chinese both emotionally and culturally, said Qiu Yuanping, head of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council.