江苏留学网

Jared York, the first-prize winner. He is proficient not only in Chinese mandarin, but also in dialects popular in the Jiangnan area (the region south of the Yangtze River), Southwest China's Guizhou province and East China's Fujian province. [Photo by Hu Yi/Jiangnan University]

Jared York, an American boy who is studying at the Business School of Jiangnan University, won the first prize.

From cracking jokes in Wuxi dialect to chatting freely in the dialects of Southwest China's Guizhou province and East China's Fujian province, the young man regards regional dialects, which are related to all aspects of his life, as national treasures.

"I've learned Chinese since I was in high school, and I came to China to experience a different culture," he said, adding that he himself is also a great fan of Chinese food, including hot pot and steamed buns.