The 7th Belt and Road Youth English-Speaking Competition South Africa Campus Qualification Held at UWC

On August 22, 2025, the South Africa Campus Qualification Round of the 7th Belt and Road Youth English-Speaking Competition, themed “As global citizens in the digital age, how can we overcome bias as we build a connected world?”, was successfully held at the Global Hub of the Confucius Institute of Chinese Medicine, University of the Western Cape (CI at UWC). The event was hosted by China Daily, organized by 21st Century English Education Media, and co-organized by the CI at UWC.

Students from the Department of English actively participated, delivering speeches on themes such as the Belt and Road Initiative, youth responsibility, and the shared future of humanity. Their eloquence and insights highlighted the critical role of South African youth in global dialogue and cooperation. After a rigorous contest, winners of the first, second, and third prizes were announced. The first-prize winner will represent South Africa in the grand final in China.

The judging panel featured three distinguished judges, including faculty members from UWC’s Department of English and a renowned South African writer. They offered professional evaluations and constructive feedback on the participants’ performance in terms of language, structure, and delivery.

The competition was hosted by Dr. Changhong Wu, the Co-director of the CI at UWC. In her remarks, she emphasized that young people are both participants in and witnesses to the Belt and Road Initiative. She noted that the competition not only provided students with a platform to showcase their talents but also strengthened educational and cultural exchanges between South Africa and China.