On April 25, the atmosphere was lively with continuous applause in Room 305 of the Foreign Languages Building, Fudan University, where the “Global Challenges and Youth Responsibility” Bilingual Speaking Contest at Fudan University was held.
Sixteen Chinese and international students from different colleges across the university competed together, delivering speeches in both Chinese and English on heated topics including artificial intelligence development, space exploration, global warming, graduates’ employment, campus life, and impressions of the China’s animated blockbuster Nezha 2.
The Finalists competed in two sessions: the Bilingual Public Speaking Session and the Cross-cultural Quiz Session. In the Bilingual Speaking Round, each participant could score up to 100 points. Chinese students delivered a prepared speech for 2 minutes in English, while international students delivered theirs in Chinese. This was followed by a two-minute impromptu speech where the language roles reversed. The Cross-cultural Quiz contributed another 150 points in total, with Chinese questions for international students and English questions for Chinese students.
This competition format not only tested contestants’ public speaking skills, foreign language proficiency, and cross-cultural knowledge, but also fostered mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and international participants as they cooperated to prepare for the competition in small groups and encouraged each other during the whole competitive process.
Chonthicha Yangwiwat (in the middle), known by her Chinese name “杨真珍”, emerged as the Champion and “Most Charismatic Award” winner. As a sophomore studying International Finance at Fudan, Chonthicha’s journey to China was driven by her desire to understand the country’s economic progress. “Studying in China is a great opportunity for me to see how such a prosperous country managed their finance and their economy so well,” she explained, believing these insights would enhance her future professional skills.
Chonthicha revealed that she chose “Facing the Challenges of the 21st Century” as the theme of her prepared speech because of its relevance to her generation. “Nowadays, we as Gen Z, need to be prepared very well to survive and keep pace with the times in the 21st century,” she stated, emphasizing the rapid pace of change and the importance of preparation for future challenges.
In her impromptu speech, Chonthicha talked about culture shock, especially her surprise at the academic rigor she encountered in China. “I was shocked by the intelligence of Chinese people and the very competitive society in China,” she shared, noting how Chinese students study continuously even in casual settings like canteens—a stark contrast to her experiences in Thailand.
Chonthicha’s journey with the Chinese language started in kindergarten at a trilingual school and has continued ever since. Her skills improved significantly while preparing for the HSK 6 exam, which she needed for university admission. This required daily classes and immense dedication. She credits her success to finding joy in learning, especially through Chinese movies and music, which helped her develop communication skills naturally.
For aspiring Chinese learners, Chonthicha stresses the importance of having clear motivation and patience. “Find your personal reason for mastering this language,” she advises, encouraging learners to “discover the joy in the process” rather than rigidly pushing for progress. This balanced approach to language learning — combining systematic study with authentic cultural engagement — perfectly embodies the cross-cultural understanding that Fudan University promotes through initiatives like this bilingual speech contest.
*In an interesting aside, our reporter Edward Eldar Turdmat (3rd from right, proudly holding his certificate with both hands) not only covered this event but also participated as a contestant, winning the First Prize. Congratulations to him!
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Writer: Edward Eldar Turdmat
Editor: Wang Mengqi, Li Yijie
