Wu Xichen from Pui Kiu Middle School, the champion of the secondary category, performs during the grand final of the 2nd Gold Bauhinia Cup Interschool Mandarin Writing and Speaking Competition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum on Oct 7, 2023. (LU WANQING / CHINA DAILY)

Last Saturday, on Oct 7, the Hong Kong Palace Museum witnessed an enthusiastic and expectant crowd as the grand final of the 2nd Gold Bauhinia Cup Interschool Mandarin Writing and Speaking Competition took place. 

The auditorium was filled with excitement as the 10 finalists, five from the primary category and five from the secondary category, prepared for the event. The finalists showcased their excellent oratorical skills even during the sound testing, setting the stage for an intense competition.

Zhang Zhihua (left), the director-general of the Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, and John Ma Hung-ming (right), the chairman of the organizing committee and the Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce, present the award to Xu Yiming (center) from Po Leung Kuk Lam Man Chan English Primary School, the champion of the primary category, during the grand final of the 2nd Gold Bauhinia Cup Interschool Mandarin Writing and Speaking Competition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum on Oct 7, 2023. (LU WANQING / CHINA DAILY)

Continuing from last year, this year's competition focused on the theme of “my love for my motherland”, specifically highlighting iconic Chinese landscapes and places of interest. Over 100 primary and secondary schools took part, submitting their students’ original compositions. The finalists proudly delivered their compositions with exceptional Mandarin skills, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

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Among the highly talented finalists, Xu Yiming from Po Leung Kuk Lam Man Chan English Primary School in To Kwa Wan and Wu Xichen from Pui Kiu Middle School in North Point emerged as the champions in the primary and secondary categories, respectively. Their remarkable performances showcased their dedication and passion for the motherland.

Representatives from supporting media go upstage to receive acknowledgements from the event organizers during the grand final of the 2nd Gold Bauhinia Cup Interschool Mandarin Writing and Speaking Competition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum on Oct 7, 2023. (LU WANQING / CHINA DAILY)

Guests and audience pose for a group photo during the grand final of the 2nd Gold Bauhinia Cup Interschool Mandarin Writing and Speaking Competition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum on Oct 7, 2023. (LU WANQING / CHINA DAILY)

John Ma Hung-ming, chairman of the organizing committee and the Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce,emphasized the purpose behind this annual event. “Our aim is to promote culture, serve society, and foster talent,” he stated. He further emphasized that through their participation, students not only develop a sense of belonging to the nation but also express their gratitude for the motherland through their writing and speaking skills.

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The competition was organized by the Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with co-organizers including Hong Kong Art and Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers. The event also received wholehearted support from the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau of HKSAR, the Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, and various school heads associations based in Hong Kong.