SYSU Students Deliver Best-Ever Performance at “Stories of China Retold in English” Challenge

Three students from Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) achieved the university’s best-ever results at the 6th “Stories of China Retold in English” Challenge, earning top honors in the College Category, the Domestic Foreign Students Category and the Creative Ambassador selection.

Held in Beijing from July 27 to 28, the national showcase marked the final stage of the eight-month competition, which attracted more than 170,000 participants from 149 countries and regions. Only 60 contestants advanced to the final showcase, where SYSU’s three representatives delivered outstanding performances and set a new record for the university.

Sharing China Stories Through Personal Experiences

Wang Chuqi, a second-year undergraduate student from SYSU’s School of Law, won first place in the College Category, earning the recognitions of “Wonderful Narrator of the Chinese Story” and “Outstanding Storyteller.”

Wang Chuqi (fifth from left), a second-year undergraduate student from SYSU’s School of Law, receives the "Wonderful Narrator of the Chinese Story" and "Outstanding Storyteller" honors in the College Category.

Through her storytelling performance, Wang shared a personal experience of making dumplings with international friends. From preparing ingredients to shaping dumplings together, she explored how this traditional Chinese food represents reunion, sharing, and human connection.

For Wang, the experience was also a journey of personal growth.

“Through this process, I evolved from wanting to fit in by changing myself to becoming someone who builds bridges between cultures,” Wang said. “Cultural exchange does not always begin with grand topics—it can start with a meal, a shared experience, and a sincere conversation.”

Wang also delivered an English recitation of an excerpt from The Ballad of Mulan, introducing international audiences to the enduring image of Mulan and the values represented in the classic poem, including courage, responsibility, devotion to family, and resilience. She said she hoped to help global audiences experience the rhythm, emotion, and cultural depth of Chinese literature through English.

International Students Sharing Their Perspectives on China

SYSU’s international students also achieved outstanding results in the competition.

Thai student Jewrattanachamrat Yanasa (Zhou Fangmei), a third-year undergraduate from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, won third place in the Domestic Foreign Students Category and received the titles of "Wonderful Narrator of the Chinese Story" and "Exceptional Storyteller." As one of five featured international contestants, she was invited to participate in the award ceremony Talk Show: Our China Story.

Meanwhile, Lang Ngoc Linh (Ling Yuling), a second-year Vietnamese undergraduate from the School of Journalism and Communication, secured second place in the "Creative Ambassador" selection.

Zhou Fangmei (third from right), a third-year undergraduate from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, receives the "Wonderful Narrator of the Chinese Story" and "Exceptional Storyteller" honors in the Domestic Foreign Students Category.

For Zhou, the competition offered an opportunity to share her understanding of Chinese culture through her own experiences in China. Having first encountered the traditional Chinese storytelling art of pingshu in Thailand, she developed a deeper interest in its cultural significance after studying Chinese literature and history at SYSU.

Her performance of The Story of Yue Fei reflected her appreciation of the values embodied in the classic tale, including loyalty, courage, and a sense of responsibility.

“Preparing for the competition was a process of continuously refining my script and exploring the best way to connect with the audience,” Zhou said. “The journey itself was just as meaningful as the final result, as it helped me discover new perspectives and continue growing.”

Building Bridges Through Language and Culture

The “Stories of China Retold in English” Challenge is a national platform that encourages young people to explore Chinese culture from their own perspectives and promote cross-cultural understanding through English storytelling.

The achievements of SYSU students demonstrate the university’s efforts to foster globally minded talents in an inclusive and diverse learning environment.

Reflecting on her experience at SYSU, Wang said the university’s multicultural environment helped her understand how personal stories can connect with audiences from different backgrounds.

“Through interactions with students from different countries at SYSU, I learned to view my stories from the perspective of international audiences and discover shared emotions across cultures,” Wang said. “Language and customs may differ, but love for family, courage in facing challenges, and the joy of sharing are universal.”

Moving forward, SYSU will continue to provide students with more opportunities for international exchange and cultural dialogue, empowering them to share stories, deepen mutual understanding, and build connections across cultures.