The 2024 "FLTRP·ETIC Cup" "Understanding Contemporary China" International Communication Contest was held in Beijing on December 9, 2024, with Fan Yuehang from Beijing Foreign Studies University taking home the championship. Fan, alongside eight other finalists, captivated the audience with their compelling insights and narratives themed around the Journey Crossing Mountains and Seas. The innovative format of the International Communication Contest was introduced this year by integrating public speaking, reading, and writing competitions, presenting fresh challenges to participants. 

The 2024 "FLTRP·ETIC Cup" "Understanding Contemporary China" International Communication Contest will be held in Beijing on December 99, 2024. (Photo/The event organizer)

2024 witnessed an increase in participation with over 1300 universities and colleges involved, covering 11 languages, including English, Russian, German, French, Spanish, Arabian, Japanese, Italian, Portuguese, Korean, and Chinese as a second language for foreign learners. Attracting nearly 700,000 college students nationwide, the contest provides a vibrant stage for college students in China to showcase their linguistic prowess and international communication skills.

A notable addition to this year's contest was the Short Video Contest conducted in both English and Chinese. A team from Wuhan University of Technology won the newly-added English Short Video Contest for their poignant short video, The Relay, which vividly depicted the theme of Digital China. The winner of the Chinese Short Video Contest for International Students is a team of three Malaysian students studying at Zhejiang University of Water Resources and Electric Power.

The grand finale also celebrated the champions in 9 foreign language categories and the top performers in the English Translation Contest and English Interpreting Contest.

National Champions in Contest of 9 Other Foreign Languages. (Photo/The event organizer)

Under the theme "Understanding Contemporary China, Communicating with the World," the series of foreign language contests aimed to deepen college students'  understanding of China, enhance their intercultural communication competence, and provide a stage for college students to share their diverse perspectives on China's development and evolving narratives.

"This contest stands out as one of the best I've witnessed, and I am truly inspired by the enthusiasm of the young contestants." a professor from the judging panel remarked. "Being asked by the Question Master from CGTN, who is also my role model, was the highlight of my experience. It was both a daring challenge and profound joy for me to express my journalist ideal in front of esteemed professionals on the judging panel from Xinhua News Agency, China Daily, CGTN, and the United Nations.” said one of the nine finalists in the contest.  

The "FLTRP·ETIC Cup" "Understanding Contemporary China" Foreign Language Contests were organized by Beijing Foreign Studies University in collaboration with Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP).