The 8th China Daily Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition officially opened on Jan 31, bringing together nearly 70 young representatives from more than a dozen countries to witness the start of a new chapter in cross-cultural dialogue.

The opening ceremony, held in Tianjin in conjunction with the launch of the 31st China Daily “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition, featured personal stories from distinguished alumni and a discussion on global issues, culminating in the unveiling of this year’s competition theme, “Alone we fail, together we prevail.”

The event opened with talks by five accomplished young speakers who have previously excelled on the competition stage.

Lykeo Lam, the global champion of last year’s Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition, encouraged the audience to step out of their comfort zones and embrace authenticity without fear of judgment. Lu Jinfei, champion of the 8th “21st Century Cup” National Youth English Speaking Competition, said connecting language learning with personal passion makes such a pursuit sustainable and rewarding.

The other speakers were: Chen Yeliang, first runner-up of the 30th “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition Grand Final, who outlined a practical path to cultivating critical thinking through reading and information gathering; Yang Zihan, China’s representative to the 2024 International Public Speaking Competition, who told of how she thinks Chinese youth can present a dignified image while telling China’s story globally; and Wang Yuanheng, a national first-prize winner of the 30th “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition Grand Final, who highlighted how those studying subjects other than English can draw on their professional knowledge to create innovative speeches.

A highlight of the ceremony was a discussion that covered topics concerning Gen Z. Issues touched on included the resilience and enterprising spirit of global youth, emphasizing their commitment to tackling common problems through dialogue rather than in isolation.

The ceremony concluded with the official release of the season’s prepared speech topic. “Alone we fail, together we prevail” calls on participants to reflect on the necessity of solidarity and collective effort in an increasingly interconnected world.

The Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition, initiated by China Daily in 2019, has established a presence in more than 60 countries and regions, attracting tens of thousands of participants annually. By combining high-level public speaking with cultural exchange, the competition aims to deepen mutual understanding, strengthen friendships among youth and contribute to the people-to-people bonds of the Belt and Road Initiative.

As the 8th edition of the competition begins, organizers reaffirmed its mission: to nurture the next generation of global leaders, providing a stage on which young voices are heard and where diversity is celebrated.