A singing contest of Chinese songs for overseas Chinese was held Saturday in Houston, the fourth largest city in the US.

The contest is part of the "Water Cube Cup" Chinese Songs Singing Competition, a global activity designed to introduce Chinese culture and tell Chinese stories to the world.

A total of 17 participants joined the singing contest in adult and youth groups. The three winners of the contest will participate in the "Water Cube Cup" Chinese Songs Singing Competition finals scheduled for August in Beijing.

Ge Yunchang, the first-prize winner of the youth group and a high school student, told the Xinhua news agency that she was able to meet friends and experience Chinese culture during the contest.

"China has a very long history. My parents always told me we can't forget Chinese language and Chinese culture because we are overseas Chinese," she said.

Lü Simeng, the second-prize winner in the youth group, was happy to have the chance to go to Beijing. "It was a big challenge for me to sing Chinese songs on stage as I've never done it before. But my Chinese language ability has improved during the process," she said.

The competition is sponsored by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of China, the Beijing municipal government and the All-China Youth Federation. It is aimed at strengthening the links between China and the world through Chinese culture.