A crisp breeze and warm autumn sun set the scene on September 24 as the annual BUCT English Speech Contest took place on the picturesque Changping Campus. This event also served as the BUCT selection round for the 2025 “FLTRP·Guocai Cup” Understanding Contemporary China National Foreign Language Competence Contest (English Speaking) and the 16th Beijing College Students’ English Speech Contest. Centered on the theme “Strike the Waves”, the contest encouraged young students to face the challenges of the times and to tell China’s contemporary stories in English.

Over three thrilling hours, speeches sparkled with insight and wit, repeatedly bringing the audience to a crescendo. Drawing on personal understanding and lived experience, contestants told vivid stories of Chinese youth “striking the waves” and surging forward. Today’s young generation stands at the forefront, they hoisted their sails toward innovation, answered the call of the era with wisdom and action, pioneered with the courage to be first, advanced high-quality development through new-quality productive forces, and drove Chinese modernization with independent innovation. They contributed their youthful strength and intelligence to a community with a shared future for mankind.

“Dreams may be distant, but perseverance brings them within reach; the road may be hard, but steadfast effort makes it attainable. On the new journey of Chinese modernization, everyone plays a leading role; every contribution counts; every beam of light shines.” Embodying the spirit of “riding the crest of the waves,” today’s contestants pressed ahead with resolve. After intense competition among 31 speakers, Li Yifang (English 2304) and Huang Yiran (Chemistry A2407) won the Grand Prize; Zhu Ruiqi (English 2202) and Chen Yuhui (Law 2401) received the First Prize.

Co-hosted by the College of Humanities and Law and the Academic Affairs Office, and organized by the Department of English and the Division of University Foreign Languages, the contest was judged by a panel of five seasoned English teachers. Zhang Jing from the Department of English offered incisive on-site commentary that greatly benefited the contestants. The event was emceed by Li Shuhui (English 2401) and Zhang Yixin (English 2402).

Rising to the challenges of the era and showcasing China to the world are the mission of today’s youth. We look forward to seeing our students once again interpret this spirit with brilliance—and, in time, present the wisdom and dynamism of a new generation of Chinese youth on the global stage.