The 4th UK English–Chinese Bilingual Recitation Competition: Media Coverage and Reflections from the Judges

Following the successful conclusion of the 4th UK English–Chinese Bilingual Recitation Competition, the event attracted coverage from several overseas media outlets, including Nouvelles d’Europe (European Times), its English-language platform China Minutes, and China Daily. At the same time, judge Xianping Bai shared her heartfelt reflections as a witness to the competition, adding warmth and depth to the story of this year’s event.

🌍 International Media Attention: Coverage by European Times, China Minutes, and China Daily

After the competition concluded, it received widespread attention from major overseas media, including European Times, its English-language platform China Minutes (中国时刻), and the internationally recognised English newspaper China Daily. Each outlet documented the event from a different perspective, highlighting it as a meaningful moment of cultural exchange between China and the United Kingdom.

Founded in London in 2015 by European Times, China Minutes is an English-language news and culture platform dedicated to introducing Chinese culture and telling Chinese stories to global audiences, particularly in the Western world. With a European perspective, its coverage spans culture, society, technology, and international exchange, reaching up to 250 million page views annually. Today, it has become an important window through which overseas readers engage with contemporary China.

In its feature on the bilingual recitation competition, China Minutes focused on the children’s bilingual expression, confidence, and stage presence, presenting the power of language and the cultural significance of the event to a broad international readership.

As a leading Chinese-language media outlet in Europe, European Times also reported on the competition, recognising its positive role in overseas Chinese language education and UK–China cultural exchange. Its coverage documented the young participants’ growth and progress on the bilingual stage.

At the same time, China Daily also reported on the competition, offering an international communications perspective on the cultural and educational values conveyed by the event. Through its coverage, this community-rooted bilingual education initiative reached a wider global audience.

The sustained attention from both Chinese- and English-language media not only affirms the significance of the competition itself, but also amplifies its influence in cross-cultural dialogue, youth education, and international communication.

⭐ A Judge’s Reflections: Language, Perseverance, and Growth

As one of the judges, Xianpng Bai shared the following reflections after the event:

“Last Saturday, when all the trains in my village and the neighbouring one were cancelled, and I spent two hours swaying home on a bus, I asked myself why I was still heading out that day.

The answer was simple: because I knew in advance that this would be an event I would truly enjoy. The English–Chinese Bilingual Recitation Competition. Seeing the children’s language ability, expressive skills, and their courage and confidence on stage was deeply rewarding. As a judge, witnessing both the children’s progress and the growth of the competition itself was a genuine pleasure.

I am a parent, and I have also worked as a Chinese language teacher, supporting my own child and students in recitation competitions. I truly understand the saying ‘one minute on stage takes years of work off stage’. Talent is rare, and there is no effortless success in this world. Behind every fluent performance are countless hours of practice and persistence. I sincerely applaud every participant, as well as the parents and teachers supporting them.

This year, I was delighted to see again a young contestant who had impressed the judges last year. He delivered a fluent recitation of Li Bai’s The Road to Shu this time, which was just as remarkable. To be honest, very few adults could recite this poem in full. His mother later told me that when encouraging him to practise, she would often say, ‘Teacher Bai will be amazed by your progress; Teacher Bai will like this gesture.’ Hearing this warmed my heart. I realised that, without knowing it, I had become a source of motivation for a child’s efforts.

The overall organisation of this year’s competition also impressed me greatly. It was innovative, bold, and full of warmth. To accomplish so much in such a short preparation period speaks to the organisers’ determination and capability. Every volunteer worked with great care and dedication. I sincerely want to say thank you to everyone for building such a high-quality platform for children overseas who continue to learn Chinese.

I look forward to an even better competition next year.”

❤️ The Bridge of Cross-Cultural Connection Continues

Whether through media attention or the heartfelt reflections of the judges, all signs point to the same truth: this competition is not only about language, but also about courage, connection, and growth.

The conclusion of the 4th competition marks the beginning of the next journey. We look forward to a future where more children use language to understand the world, and where the world, in turn, listens to their voices.