Our Students Excel at the "21st Century Cup" National English-Speaking Competition

Recently, the 30th China Daily “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition Grand Final was held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Tan Yino, a student from Class 242 of the Sino-British Joint Programme in Clinical Medicine, secured a place among the top 21 finalists nationwide. She was awarded the National First Prize and was the only finalist from Jiangxi Province. Additionally, Ruimin Shi from the Joint Programme Class 241 received the National Third Prize.

Yinuo Tan (third from left) receiving the National First Prize at the “21st Century Cup”

Organised by China Daily, the “21st Century Cup” is a prestigious national English competition designed to cultivate young people’s ability to share China’s stories effectively, engage in international communication, and develop interdisciplinary critical thinking. Widely recognised by universities across the country, it serves as the sole Chinese qualifying round for the International Public Speaking Competition and has been included in the National Report on Undergraduate Student Competitions. Moreover, it is acknowledged by China’s Ministry of Education to be one of the most valuable English contests for university students.

This year’s final theme was “Bridging Division through Shared Stories.” Drawing upon her medical background, Yinuo Tan delivered a compelling speech centered on the concept of a “Universal Medical Language.” She argued that medical terminology functions as a truly global lingua franca, which is capable of transcending geographical and cultural divides, fostering mutual understanding, and creating an equitable platform for scientific dialogue worldwide. Her distinctive disciplinary perspective, fluent delivery, and confident stage presence earned high praise from the judges and ultimately won the National First Prize.

On stage at the finals

Reflecting on her experience, Yinuo Tan shared the following:

“Advancing from the semi-finals to the national top 21 has been far more than a competition—it has been a profoundly transformative journey of personal growth. As a medical student, I sought to interpret global issues through my professional lens, conveying both rationality and humanistic care. This contest not only honed my language and presentation skills but also significantly broadened my intellectual horizons. It truly was an unforgettable and invaluable chapter in my development.”

As a model of Chinese-British collaborative education, Queen Mary School leverages its high-quality international platform to nurture future clinicians equipped with global vision and cutting-edge capabilities. These outstanding achievements at the “21st Century Cup” represent a significant milestone in our mission to cultivate internationally-minded medical professionals who can confidently articulate China’s narratives and engage meaningfully on the global stage. We remain committed to deepening international collaboration and fostering additional fine talent in the years ahead.