More than 200 Canadian students studying Chinese language showcased their talents at a special gala at the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa Saturday.

Canada's Chinese language learners perform in a gala at the Embassy of the People' s Republic of China in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on April 23, 2011. Some 200 students and their teachers from eastern Canada performed traditional and modern Chinese songs, danced, played traditional Chinese instruments, recited poetry and enjoyed Chinese food Saturday together at China's Embassy to Canada. [Christopher Pike/Xinhua]

The young Canadians, who are studying Chinese at universities in the Canadian provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia and Ontario, performed traditional and modern Chinese songs and dances, played traditional Chinese instruments and recited Chinese poems.

Marquise Lee, a law student at Montreal's McGill University, performed two Chinese songs in the talent show.

"Chinese people are friendly. The first time I went was during the Olympics with my father," Lee said.

She grew up speaking English and French at home and started to learn Chinese as an undergraduate student.

"Chinese law interests me. I learned a little of it at McGill this year and I've written some papers on it," Lee told Xinhua, "I am applying for a Master's program in China."

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Junsai shared his experience as a college student learning a foreign language and encouraged the students to practice more.

"To me, language learning is like playing hockey. To play like a pro, you have got to do three things -- practice, practice, practice," Zhang said. He also invited the students to visit China.

Marcel Tremblay of the University of Montreal said he would accept the ambassador's suggestion to visit China. "I wanted to get past all of the stereotypes in the West and understand the real China," he said.

Chen Wenshen, minister counsellor in charge of education, gave out certificates to the students who had won prizes in the Chinese Bridge language proficiency competition in Eastern Canada earlier this year.