A gathering of education officials and experts witnessed 27 young speakers from the Asia-Pacific region share their views on the coexistence of civilizations at an English-speaking competition in Bangkok, Thailand.
The MicUp! English Speaking Competition cum Belt and Road Youth English-Speaking Competition (Thailand), now in its second year, brought together 600 young orators from local schools and universities. The competition had earlier taken place in Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Nepal, culminating in a regional final at Chulalongkorn University.
RVi Academy Mandalay (Myanmar) were the champions of the junior and youth categories, respectively. The winners will advance to the Global Final in Wuxi, China, in October.
Clash and Coexistence," was praised for encouraging young people to consider global trends and advocate for stronger friendships and cooperation.
Roongpraew Wiwatkamolwat, a 16-year-old student from Ekamai International School in Bangkok, captivated the audience with her costume, a blend of Chinese and Thai influences. She spoke of her Chinese heritage and belief in cultural inclusivity as her motivation. She highlighted that her costume represented the ongoing exchange and fusion of civilizations.
Nan Suriya Khattiya, the first runner-up in the junior category, valued the opportunity to engage with peers from other Asian countries. She noted that the event reflected the spirit of the Silk Road, emphasizing coexistence and mutual learning. She also mentioned the Belt and Road Initiative as a bridge between countries.
Luo Ying, a postgraduate student at Peking University and a past English-speaking competition runner-up, encouraged increased international communication among youth. She stated that the Belt and Road Initiative connects people, cultures, and nations, fostering a more inclusive world.
The competition, launched last year by VDO English and RVIPS, aims to celebrate linguistic skills, understand the perspectives of young people, and encourage cross-cultural dialogue.
Tan Yan, deputy general manager of China Daily Asia-Pacific and director of VDO English, stated that the competition aligns with the goals of the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting cultural diversity and exchange.
5 Comments
ZmeeLove
Using young speakers to push an agenda is manipulative. They should be focusing on education without any geopolitical strings attached.
Muchacho
The focus seems completely skewed toward promoting China's narrative in the region, rather than a balanced view.
Habibi
I'm impressed by the diversity of perspectives shared at the competition—such a positive step towards mutual understanding.
Muchacha
Promoting cultural diversity is great, but it’s hard to believe this isn’t just a PR stunt.
Leonardo
The Belt and Road Initiative's focus on cultural exchange makes sense here. It’s great to see young people engaging with each other.