Young talents took to the stage with impressive performances at the 2026 “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition (Hong Kong Region) on March 28 for the second round of the district contests in Hong Kong.

Nearly 600 young orators from across Hong Kong’s 18 districts gathered at St Paul’s Convent School in Wan Chai and the Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School in Sha Tin for this round.

Contestants delivered impassioned speeches, showcasing not only their impeccable English language proficiency, but also their critical thinking, creative vision, and unique insights into Hong Kong’s development and global affairs.

The first round of the contest was held on March 21 at the Po Leung Kuk Tong Nai Kan Junior Secondary College in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, attracting over 300 contestants.

Following evaluations by expert judges, the top performers from each district contest will advance to the semifinals on April 25.

University-category contestants competed in the semifinal round at the Hong Kong Productivity Council in Kowloon Tong on the same day.

The semifinal round of the kindergarten-category will be held at Olympic House on April 18 and 19.

The grand finale, featuring the most outstanding finalists from all categories, is scheduled to take place on May 9.

This year marks the 9th edition in Hong Kong. It has drawn over 1,000 participants from primary, secondary and university categories, underscoring its popularity among young English-speaking talents.

Organized by China Daily and VDO English, an educational arm of China Daily Hong Kong, the competition has been widely acclaimed as one of the most prominent rallying points for English public-speaking enthusiasts in the territory.

Contact the writer at evanhuang@chinadailyhk.com