Young voices to the fore as ideas and words are given full power

Two public speaking competitions brought together young people from around the world, and they faced off in finals during the week, Meng Wenjie reports.

The power of public speaking is evident in the stories of young people such as Zhou Yuxi, 21, a student at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. For Zhou, public speaking is a platform to advocate for the issues and groups she deeply cares about.

In a speech she delivered in the national finals of the China Daily"21st Century Cup" National English Speaking Competition, she talked of growing awareness among women, exemplified by a decision the German women's gymnastics team made at the Tokyo Olympic Games held in 2021. In opting to switch from traditional half-body suits that reveal the female figure to bodysuits that cover the thighs and extend to the ankles, they created quite a stir.

In her speech, Zhou said: "As time goes by, evolution happens, on her, on them. From thousands of years ago, women silently accepted the role of 'caring for the family' or 'passing on the lineage', to the first feminist movement (that) broke out in France 200 years ago, to the awakening of women's consciousness worldwide, to today's many outstanding women in all walks of life."

After the competition, Zhou expressed her gratitude for being born in a safe and relatively gender-equal country like China. However, she recognized the struggle of women worldwide and their need for a global voice. She aspires to be that voice for them.