Chanting contest promotes Arabic language skills

China's National Quranic Chanting Competition has helped to promote standard Arabic pronunciation of the Islamic holy book in the country, according to the China Islamic Association.

The association has hosted the contest every other year since 1995. More than 50 people from 23 provinces and regions participated in last year's event when Wali Mehsut, from the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, won first prize.

"Contestants from Xinjiang have always been relatively strong in Quranic chanting," said Guo Chengzhen, vice-president of the association, which has organized nine contests so far. Some of the winners have been chosen to represent China in international contests.