Chongqing — The final of the 4th "TALK IN Chongqing" Foreign Language Speech Contest was held in Chongqing on Oct. 24, bringing together 30 finalists to share their perspectives on the city under the theme "Chongqing Is Amazing."

The event was hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government and the Chongqing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, with support from the Consulate-General of Canada in Chongqing. Since the competition opened in May, it has attracted nearly 400 participants from 14 countries.

The final of the 4th “TALK IN Chongqing” Foreign Language Speech Contest was held in Chongqing on Oct. 24. (Photo/Organizer)

The finalists competed in three categories: English University Group, English Professional Group and Chinese Group. The judging panel included foreign consular officials in Chongqing, representatives of international business associations, university language experts and senior media professionals. International students from Southwest University of Political Science and Law and Chongqing University of Technology also served as public judges.

In the English categories, contestants explored Chongqing through subjects ranging from childhood memories to the role of medical professionals in connecting the city with the world. Their speeches offered personal perspectives on the city's development and the experiences of people who live and work there.

Guan Diexi of Chongqing University delivered a speech titled "The City Without a Single Nail," drawing on the story of Shibaozhai,  a wooden structure on the Yangtze River built without nails using traditional Chinese joinery techniques.

She also described efforts to restore vegetation along the river after the Three Gorges Reservoir began filling. Her teacher spent 20 years testing more than 1,000 plant species along the river before identifying about 60 suited to local conditions. Those plants have since grown into a woodland. Guan described the relationship between people and nature through three concepts: compatibility, support and coexistence

Guan Diexi of Chongqing University delivers a speech titled “The City Without a Single Nail” at the 4th “TALK IN Chongqing” Foreign Language Speech Contest. (Photo/Organizer)

Mou Liwei of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University spoke under the title "Chongqing ⇋ World: My Three Bridges." She recounted three pivotal decisions: leaving for the United Kingdom to study at 18, returning to Chongqing after learning about the rapid development of its biopharmaceutical industry, and now helping build international research partnerships. She said Chongqing's appeal lay not only in the pace of its development but also in the opportunities it offers people to grow alongside the city.

The Chinese Group featured contestants from nine countries, including Italy, Laos and Russia, who delivered their speeches in Chinese. They shared their experiences of discovering the city's culture, adapting to life in Chongqing and finding a sense of belonging.

Keita Modi from Mali performs a speech titled “Chongqing, a City of Miracles” at the 4th “TALK IN Chongqing” Foreign Language Speech Contest. (Photo/Organizer)

Jonathan Brasnett, Consul General of Canada in Chongqing, served as a judge and praised the contestants' language skills and the range of subjects they addressed.

"I was very impressed by the level some contestants had achieved in a short time. The topics were all different, rich and fascinating. It was a great opportunity to hear from young people living in Chongqing," Brasnett said.

He also emphasized the value of cultural exchange alongside economic ties.

"Many people come to China primarily to do business and trade, but I also believe that people-to-people exchanges bring benefits. Mutual understanding is very important, so I hope we can continue to support similar activities," he added.

Jonathan Brasnett, Consul General of Canada in Chongqing, serves as a judge at the 4th “TALK IN Chongqing” Foreign Language Speech Contest. (Photo/Organizer)

At the awards ceremony, Wang Wen, Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government, congratulated the winners and reflected on the contest's development over four years. She described it as a platform for cross-cultural communication, a way to share Chongqing's stories and a means of attracting talent to support the city's international engagement.

Wang noted that this year's contest marked the first time the Consulate-General of Canada in Chongqing had supported the event as a foreign official institution. She encouraged participants to continue sharing their experiences of the city and contributing to international cooperation.

The organizers presented three first prizes, six second prizes, nine third prizes and 12 excellence awards across the three categories. Public judges also selected six contestants as City Promotion Officers. Award recipients will have opportunities to join Chongqing's translation talent pool and participate in international exchange activities.

The three first-prize winners pose for a photo at the 4th “TALK IN Chongqing” Foreign Language Speech Contest. (Photo/Organizer)

Timothy Alan Stanford of the United States won first prize in the Chinese Group. He said the contest brought together people from different backgrounds and gave them an opportunity to share their perspectives on Chongqing.

"Each participant brought a different experience of the same city, Chongqing," Stanford noted. "People came from all around the world and expressed their views of Chongqing in different ways."

He added that the contest welcomed not only students but also teachers and other people living in Chongqing, allowing them to share how their experiences had shaped their views of the city.

The 4th "TALK IN Chongqing" Foreign Language Speech Contest concluded with a focus on language learning as a means of fostering mutual understanding. The event also highlighted Chongqing’s growing role in international engagement, connecting people from different countries and backgrounds through a shared interest in language and culture.