Passport to success

As English proficiency continues to be a ticket to opportunity for Chinese students, a national speaking contest provides a platform to excel. Zhang Zefeng reports.

Twenty-year-old Chen Qiyu stood center-stage, holding a crystal trophy, a certificate and a bouquet in her arms. The cameras lingered, dazzling with flashes. A continuous volley of applause swept through the large audience as she was crowned the champion of this year's 21st Century National English Speaking Competition.

The March 26 contest was a satisfying finale for Chen, who has engaged in public speaking since the age of 10 - half of her young life. While standing on the stage, she remained calm but felt a little disoriented. What would be her next step?