From Oct 4 to Oct 6, the China Daily “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition was held in Chengdu, Sichuan province. A total of 1 million people, ranging from kindergarten kids to young professionals, participated in this year’s event.
10月4日至6日，中國日報社“21世紀杯”全國英語演講比賽在四川成都舉行。今年共有100萬人報名參賽，選手年齡段下至學前班幼兒，上到青年精英。
During the three-day event, young contestants gave speeches on various themes, including History As a Mirror, The Promise of Youth and The Power of Ideals. They demonstrated their English ability and shared their perspectives as members of Generation Z, or Gen Zers.
在為期三天的比賽中，年輕選手們就“以史為鑒”、“青年責任”和“信仰的力量”等不同主題發(fā)表演講。選手們展現(xiàn)了自己的英語能力，也分享了作為Z世代成員的觀點。
The “21st Century Cup” was initiated by the China Daily Group in 1996. It encourages students to improve their English public speaking skills, utilize creativity and broaden their international perspectives. When the competition was launched, the aim was to train college students to be proficient in another language and communicate clearly with the world. However, in the 25 years since then, the competition has gone far beyond this simple goal. It now plays a role in helping document every major step the country takes in its development, while also encouraging young people to share China’s stories with the world and providing a stage for those who will shape the future.
中國日報社“21世紀杯”全國英語演講比賽創(chuàng)辦于1996年，比賽鼓勵學生提高英文公共演講技能，發(fā)揮創(chuàng)造力，拓寬國際視野?！?1世紀杯”創(chuàng)辦之初旨在訓練大學生精通另一種語言，以清楚地與世界交流。然而，在此后的25年里，比賽已經(jīng)遠遠超出這一簡單的目標。現(xiàn)在，“21世紀杯”全國英語演講比賽的作用是幫助記錄國家發(fā)展的每一個重大步驟，同時鼓勵年輕人與世界分享中國故事，并為那些塑造未來的人提供舞臺。
Mei Deming, a professor of English and linguistics at Shanghai International Studies University, said that to tell China’s story to the world, Gen Zers must first love their motherland, the Party and the people. In addition, they should have a global perspective and understand the importance of building a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.
上海外國語大學英語與語言學教授梅德明表示，Z世代要向世界講述中國故事，首先必須熱愛祖國、熱愛黨和人民。同時，Z世代要樹立全球視野，認識到構建人類命運共同體的重要性。
Wang Guan, a former “21st Century Cup” contestant and a news anchor and host at CGTN, said that Gen Zers need to tell China’s story well with empathy and nuance. They should have empathy for other cultures and for what their counterparts are experiencing. Moreover, they should have the ability to present nuanced explanations of what China and Chinese culture are.
“21世紀杯”往屆選手、中國國際電視臺(CGTN)新聞主播和主持人王冠說，Z世代想講好中國故事，要有感同身受的能力，還要有細致入微的體察。Z世代應該對別國文化、對別國同齡人的境遇有感知的能力。此外，中國Z世代要跟同齡人解釋清中國是什么、中國文化是什么。
(Translator & Editor: Li Xinzhu AND Luo Sitian)
http://www.cycjq.cn/story/3727.html
