International students from 31 countries stage performances at SYSU

On May 16, the Advanced Round of the 6th "Stories of China Retold in English" Contest was held at Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) in Guangdong. Nearly 100 international students in China from 31 countries and regions gathered to share, with sincerity and passion, their stories of encountering, understanding and growing together with China, presenting to the world a true, multi-dimensional and comprehensive image of China.

According to the organizers, the contest has included a Domestic Foreign Students Category since its second edition to encourage international students to learn Chinese and use the language in the competition. The sixth edition features the College Category, the Domestic Foreign Students Category and the Overseas Category. Contestants in the Domestic Foreign Students Category are required to use a non-native language throughout the competition, with Chinese encouraged as the preferred language for all segments.

At the competition, the international students told their stories with vivid language and heartfelt emotion. Some shared their observations on the rapid development of artificial intelligence in China, offering first-hand insights into how technology is reshaping everyday life. Others spoke about the sense of security they have experienced in China, coming to understand that peace and development are the most precious foundation of civilization.

Some contestants used pingshu, a traditional art form of storytelling, to illustrate the inheritance and development of Chinese culture, with a performance of "The Legend of Yue Fei" that was full of twists and turns and kept the audience captivated. Others demonstrated the warm needle acupuncture technique on stage, presenting the profound heritage and modern vitality of traditional Chinese medicine.

On stage, the contestants also brought Chinese culture to life through performances of traditional Chinese arts. From martial arts that blended strength and grace, and calligraphy marked by free-flowing strokes, to the melodious ruan, the powerful rhythms of Yingge dance, the distinctive charm of Cantonese Opera and the exquisite artistry of paper-cutting, the international students showcased the extraordinary appeal and strong attraction of fine traditional Chinese culture with impressive skills and genuine passion.

Link to the report: https://ycpai.ycwb.com/content/ikimvkntjc/content_54126030.html?isShare=true&xyt=1779182097135