Hong Kong student wins top prize in national English-speaking contest

Hong Kong student Christian Suen Chung-man (fourth left) comes out tops in the "21st Century Cup" National English Speaking Competition Grand Final held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province on Sunday. Photos by China Daily

HK students performed with flying colors in this year's top-flight competition that drew 1 million contestants across China

Hong Kong student Christian Suen Chung-man became the champion in the "21st Century Cup" National English Speaking Competition Grand Final (Senior High category) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province on Sunday.

Two other Hong Kong contestants made it to the National Top 12 after receiving the first prize in the semi-final - the best results students from the special administrative region had achieved in the contest.

Out of 1 million contestants from various cities across the nation, 500 contestants secured places in the three-day finals of the competition.

Three Hong Kong contestants - Lee Sze-yat of G.T. (Ellen Yeung) College, Christian Suen Chung-man from St. Paul's Co-educational College, and Sherie Ma Hiu-chun of Pentecostal Lam Hon Kwong School - took part in the finals.

Lee, who was in the Junior High category, said although she failed to win an award in the Grand Final, she has learned a lot which has boosted her confidence in spoken English.

Suen, who contested in the Senior High category, found the competition in Hangzhou "spectacular". "It has really broadened my horizons and prepared me better for the upcoming event (in London)."

The trio expressed gratitude to their teachers and parents for their continued guidance and support.

Aimed at promoting students' English-speaking skills and instilling the spirit of innovation, the "21st Century Cup" National English Speaking Competition was founded in 1996, organized by China Daily and operated by 21st Century English Education Media.

The regional contest in Hong Kong was jointly hosted by China Daily Asia Pacific, VDO English and Asia Children Education Association in January.

With 54 competition locations nationwide, the total number of participants reached 1 million this year, making it one of the leading English competitions in the country. It is also the only competition in China to prepare participants for the annual International Public Speaking Competition in London.

Judges listen in to the young orators' speeches and comment on their performance with advice on how to make a compelling point during Sunday's speaking contest.