The top 5 winners for both Junior and Youth Categories of Thailand, as well as Myanmar take a group photo during the regional final of the "21st Century Cup" International English-Speaking Competition, in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug 19, 2023. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

The regional final of the "21st Century Cup" International English-Speaking Competition--also known as the fifth China Daily Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition kicked off in Bangkok on Saturday.

Su Yati Eain from Singapore International School and Makhawan Wiriya from Varee Chiangmai School were crowned the champions of Myanmar and Thailand respectively, representing their countries to the grand final expected to be held October in China.

The regional final of the "21st Century Cup" International English-Speaking Competition, also known as the fifth China Daily Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition, kicks off in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug 19, 2023. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

(From left) The grand judge panel Ian Robinson, Assistant Coordinator for Secondary/ High School for Siam Singapore International School (Bangkok), Melvyn Chung, Singapore International School (Yangon) Principal, Gao Jinan, Assistant to the publisher and executive Chief Editor of China Daily Asia Pacific Company, Trent Nelson, Director of Studies at Edulink, Ajarn Pattama Ruensuk, Assistant Director of Academics at Siam Singapore International School (Bangkok), take a group photo during the regional final of the "21st Century Cup" International English-Speaking Competition, in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug 19, 2023. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

Ian Robinson, Assistant Coordinator for Secondary/ High School for Siam Singapore International School (Bangkok), delivers a speech during the regional final of the "21st Century Cup" International English-Speaking Competition, in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug 19, 2023. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

Su Yati Eain, champion of the Youth category for the Thailand region, delivers her speech during the regional final of the "21st Century Cup" International English-Speaking Competition, in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug 19, 2023. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

Makhawan Wiriya, champion of the Youth category for the Myanmar region, delivers his speech during the regional final of the "21st Century Cup" International English-Speaking Competition, in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug 19, 2023. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

Robert Chua (right), former Singapore Ambassador to Myanmar, presents an award to Su Yati Eain, the champion of the Youth category, during the regional final of the "21st Century Cup" International English-Speaking Competition, in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug 19, 2023. Su Yati Eain will proceed to the grand final to be held in October 2023, in Suzhou, China. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

Guests and participants take a group photo during the regional final of the "21st Century Cup" International English-Speaking Competition, in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug 19, 2023. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)