Guizhou picks representatives for English-speaking contest

The regional finals of the 21st Century Cup National English Speaking Competition for Guizhou's high school group concluded in Guiyang – capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province – on June 20.

Competitors delivered speeches on the theme of "CPC, I have something to say to you" – telling the story of the Party's history, China's development in recent decades and its achievements in poverty alleviation, environmental protection and in science and technology.

One participant was Yang Jiajing, from Qiannan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture's Huishui county, who is now studying at Guiyang No 3 Experimental High School. She said her education made her aware of the closing gap between the rich and the poor in the provincial capital and in the remote county.

She said she was grateful for the opportunity provided by the balanced education resources, which was also the main reason she could be at the regional finals to compete with top speakers from all over Guizhou.

Luo Chaoli, a teacher at the Guiyang Middle School Attached to Beijing Normal University, brought four students to attend the regional finals.

Luo thought that students could learn more about China's latest developments when preparing for the competition.

The national competition is China's only qualifier for the International Public Speaking Competition, which takes place in London next year.

Winners will be selected to represent China's teenagers there and to tell China's stories on the international stage.