“21st Century Cup” speaking competition continues to champion global dialogue

The 30th China Daily “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition grand final and the 7th China Daily Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition global final have just concluded, continuing their mission to build bridges of communication and understanding among global youth. The two finals, held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, reaffirmed their roles as premier platforms for the next generation of leaders to connect, share ideas and foster mutual understanding and respect.

This year’s finals brought together hundreds of exceptionally talented young people. More than 400 contestants from 25 countries took part in a range of speaking challenges, including one-on-one impromptu speech battles and prepared speech revival rounds. The speakers offered insightful perspectives on global issues, demonstrating not only outstanding linguistic skills but also remarkable cross-cultural empathy.Beyond the competition stage the event blossomed into a vibrant venue for intercultural exchange. A series of international communication workshops provided invaluable insights, featuring past champions who told of how they had achieved success, media experts who decoded the art of global storytelling, and seasoned trainers who taught how to communicate with impact. These sessions, complemented by a lively youth carnival and cultural tours of Hangzhou, sparked friendships and created shared memories that transcended borders, fostering a true sense of global community.

This year’s Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition winner was Lam Lykeo, 18, from Cambodia. The “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition champions were: Ma Chennan, 21, a student at Shanghai International Studies University, in the college category; and Lu Jinfeng,23, of Nanjing University, in the youth category. Their success, along with that of all participants, highlights the potential of young people to shape a more interconnected and understanding world.

Over 30 years, as the “21st Century Cup” has burnished its credentials as a national contest, it has also become a globally recognized institution. As it has grown in stature, its aims have remained unchanged: empowering young people to express themselves intelligently and clearly, even as they engage in dialogue with young minds across China and around the world.

The “21st Century Cup”, organized by 21st Century Media and Education, part of China Daily, has been a leading platform for cross-cultural communication for 30 years, empowering millions of young people who have gone on to excel in diplomacy, media and academia. The Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition, first held in 2019, connects talented youth from more than 50 countries with China, fostering dialogue and friendship to promote the initiative’s goals.