Nearly 100 international students from 31 countries and regions gathered at Sun Yat-sen University’s South Campus in Guangzhou on May 16 for the advanced round of the 6th “Stories of China Retold in English Challenge” for International Students in China (Guangdong Session).
Drawing on their own backgrounds and experiences, contestants shared stories on topics ranging from technology and culture to social development. Some described how advances in artificial intelligence are reshaping daily life in China, while others reflected on the sense of safety they have experienced in the country, saying it gave them a deeper appreciation of peace and development.
Beyond speeches, participants also presented a variety of traditional Chinese cultural performances, including martial arts, calligraphy, Cantonese Opera, Yingge dance and paper-cutting.
At the opening ceremony, Zhong Mingjin, vice president and secretary general of the Guangdong Education Association for International Exchange, said he hoped to see deeper educational and people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries, with Guangdong’s strengths in Lingnan culture and technological innovation playing a greater role.
Zhang Qi, a representative of Sun Yat-sen University, said in her remarks that exchanges among young people from around the world can help foster mutual understanding and friendship while contributing to dialogue among civilizations.
The “Stories of China Retold in English Challenge” is a cultural communication program for young people in China and abroad. Outstanding participants from the Guangdong session will advance to the national round.
Reporter | Chen Siyuan
Photo | Sun Yat-sen University