A 17-year-old will fly to China after impressing judges with his Mandarin language skills in a national competition.

Ariel Reingold, a pupil at independent Highgate School, took first prize at the Mandarin Chinese Speaking Competition last week in the advanced category.

The Year 12 student is one of 11 pupils studying Mandarin at A-level at the school in North Road and has been learning the official language of the People’s Republic of China for four years.

He will have the chance to visit Beijing at Easter time, along with nine other winners.

The contest at the British Museum in Bloomsbury was hosted by HSBC and the British Council to promote the teaching of Mandarin in schools.

Ariel, of Finchley, said: “I’m really happy to have won as the standard of competition was high. Taking part has really inspired me to improve my Chinese.

“I think the fact that I’ve already been to China helped my Mandarin too, so I’m looking forward to going again.

“I plan to study medicine, and perhaps work in the field of medical co-operation between the UK and China.”