Second Global Chinese Essay Competition Opens for Submissions

Themed 'Chinese Connects the World: My Cultural Journey', the competition invites primary, secondary and high school students worldwide. Winning entries will be published; top winners receive study trips to China and digital learning resources.

Chinese Connects the World: My Cultural Journey | Call for Entries: Second Global Chinese Essay Competition

Competition Outline

01 Organising Bodies   02 Essay Themes

03 Submission Requirements   04 How to Enter

05 Awards   06 Key Features

07 Contact Information   08 Special Notes

Dear students worldwide,

In this era of mutual learning among civilisations, Chinese—the world’s oldest and most distinctive language—not only carries the profound heritage of 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation but also opens a unique window for people from diverse cultural backgrounds to understand the richness of human civilisation.

In recent years, as global enthusiasm for learning Chinese continues to grow, increasing numbers of overseas young people have embarked on new journeys to explore Chinese civilisation and appreciate multiculturalism through studying the language. From the 'Chinese Bridge' competition to International Chinese Language Day, from Confucius Institutes to online Chinese classrooms, Chinese is becoming a bridge connecting young people across countries and cultures.

The inaugural Global Chinese Essay Competition, jointly launched by the Global Association of Cultural and Educational Exchange (GACEE) and *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao* (Middle School Students' Study Paper), received enthusiastic support from over 100 schools in more than 30 countries across five continents and concluded successfully. To meet growing demand among Chinese learners, the second edition is now launched.

This year’s competition, themed 'Chinese Connects the World: My Cultural Journey', invites students worldwide to express ideas and emotions through writing—to pass on cultural legacies and collectively showcase the spirit and cultural literacy of today’s international youth.

I. Organising Bodies

1. Organisers: Global Association of Cultural and Educational Exchange (GACEE)

*Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao* (Middle School Students' Study Paper)

2. Co-organisers: Henan Youth Press

Jinan University Press

iFLYTEK

3. Implementing Units: Chinese Language Editorial Department, *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao*

Sanyue Wenzhai Editorial Department, *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao*

Confucius Classroom, *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao*

4. Expert Advisory Panel

Gu Zhiquan: Senior Editor, People’s Education Press; former President, Chinese Society of Middle School Chinese Teaching (China); National Social Science Fund Reviewer.

Ma Yubian: Expert in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages; retired Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor, School of International Education, Zhengzhou University (China); member, World Association for Chinese Language Teaching; expert advisor, *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao* Overseas Edition.

Jin Ben: Member, China Writers Association; member, China Musicians Association; senior editor and journalist. Former Editor-in-Chief, *China Juvenile News*; former Deputy Editor-in-Chief, China Peace Publishing House. Current Standing Director, China Children’s Literature Research Association.

Liu Bingjun: Member, China Writers Association and Beijing Writers Association; poet and children’s literature writer. Author of multiple poetry collections, nursery rhyme anthologies, fairy tale collections and picture books; recipient of the National Outstanding Children’s Literature Award and the National Book Award.

Wang Ruiqin: Senior Editor, People’s Literature Publishing House (China); National March 8th Red-Banner Holder; recipient of State Council Special Allowance. In 1999, she founded and headed the Children’s Books Editorial Department at People’s Literature Publishing House; in 2000, she led the acquisition of the *Harry Potter* series for the Chinese market—securing rights through competitive submission of English-language materials. The series has sold over 40 million copies in China.

Li Yugui: Professor, Shanghai Vocational College of Science and Technology (China); member, Chinese Society for Neurocognitive Linguistics; inventor of the 'English Vocabulary Pictographic-Mnemonic Teaching Method' and founder of the 'GIS' curriculum. Advisor, *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao*.

Gao Mingyong: Director, Zhengbang Think Tank; Chief Editor, 'Zheng Neng Liang' column, Ifeng News. Part-time professor and research fellow at Renmin University of China, Shandong University, Shenzhen University and Southwest University. Advisor, *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao*.

Kong Yaping: 77th-generation descendant of Confucius; Deputy Secretary-General, Qufu Confucius Academy (China); Vice President, Macau Confucius Research Association; Distinguished Professor, Jining University (China); Chief Instructor, Confucius Classroom, *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao*; Advisor, *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao*.

Xu Fujie: Founding Dean, Confucius Institute at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; advocate of modernising Confucianism. Former Mandarin tutor to Lee Kuan Yew; instrumental in integrating Confucian ethics into Singapore’s bilingual policy. Founded 'Heluo Shu' in 2018. Advisor, *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao*.

Sun Haoliang: Founder and Chair of the Board of Governors, Melbourne Xinsanjing Chinese School, Australia; author of *Overseas Chinese Language Education*. Recipient of the 2015 'Light of China – Annual Figure in Promoting Chinese Culture' award.

Chen Huizhen: Principal, Komunitas Harapan Bersama Language Institute, Indonesia; Chairperson, Pontianak Komunitas Harapan Bersama Education Foundation. Engaged in Chinese language education since 2001; founded the Pontianak institute in 2015.

Wu Shanxiong: President, Chinese Language Education Promotion Association (UK). Former President, Newcastle Hua Xin Society; Secretary, UK Chinese Community Federation; President, Newcastle Chinese School. Awarded 'Outstanding Chinese Language Educator' in 2009 and 'Light of China – Annual Figure in Promoting Chinese Culture' in 2014.

Jiang Zhonghua: President, Italian Association for Promoting Chinese Society; Executive President, Italian Federation of Chinese Schools; Principal, Rome Chinese Language School. Awarded 'Outstanding Chinese Language Teacher' by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of China’s State Council in 2011; his school designated a 'Model Chinese Language School'.

Wang Xiang: Head of High School Chinese Program, Ottawa Carleton District School Board, Canada; President, Canada-China Cultural and Educational Exchange Centre; Chair, Ottawa Chinese School Foundation Board.

Wu Xianqing: Secretary-General, Egypt-China Peaceful Reunification Promotion Association; Secretary-General, Egyptian Chinese Friendship Council; Vice President and Secretary-General, Alexandria Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Principal, De Ren Chinese School, Egypt.

Han Fang: President, Africa Chinese Language Education Foundation; member, All-China Federation of Returned Scholars; member, All-China Federation of Overseas Chinese Associations.

II. Essay Themes

(a) Primary School Category

1. 'Secrets in My Schoolbag'

Prompt: Write about small items in your schoolbag—a sticker, a note from a Chinese friend—and tell the story behind them, revealing emotion through objects.

2. 'My Hero'

Prompt: Choose a figure such as Nezha or Mulan; recount a brief episode—Nezha battling the sea, Mulan joining the army—and reflect on courage, kindness and Chinese cultural values.

3. 'My Favourite Chinese Character'

Prompt: Select one character you love (e.g., 'you' you, meaning 'friend', resembling two people holding hands); explain why, share a fun learning experience, and convey your delight in Chinese characters.

4. 'If I Could Speak'

Prompt: Choose an object like a panda or a Chinese character; use childlike language to narrate its story (e.g., 'jiaozi' jiaozi telling about Spring Festival) and introduce Chinese culture playfully.

5. 'If I Kept Doing…'

Prompt: Complete the title—for example, 'reading Chinese stories' or 'helping foreign friends learn Chinese'—and describe how continuing this activity deepens your understanding of Chinese culture and brings joy in perseverance.

(b) Junior Secondary Category

1. 'Waiting'

Prompt: Describe waiting—for a letter from a Chinese friend, or competition results—and reflect on the anticipation and personal growth involved, highlighting emotional connections fostered by Chinese.

2. 'A Dream Story'

Prompt: Write about dreaming of composing poetry with Li Bai or strolling through a Tang-dynasty marketplace; transform fantasy into a coherent narrative infused with Chinese cultural elements.

3. 'Something Different'

Prompt: Compare festivals or customs across cultures (e.g., Chinese New Year vs. Christmas), reflecting on inclusivity and coexistence among civilisations.

4. 'If AI Were My Deskmate'

Prompt: Imagine AI helping you practise characters or narrating idioms; write about learning Chinese with AI and consider how technology enhances language learning.

5. 'A Dialogue Between Chopsticks and Cutlery'

Prompt: Use dining utensils as metaphors to discuss differences in Chinese and Western table manners and communal dining etiquette; explore the idea of 'harmony in diversity' and respect for pluralism.

(c) Senior Secondary Category

1. 'What Is Disappearing'

Prompt: Document endangered dialects or traditional crafts using Chinese; reflect on the significance of cultural inheritance and advocate safeguarding cultural roots through language.

2. 'Planting the Seed of My Ideal'

Prompt: Complete the title—for example, 'a person' or 'a book'; e.g., describe how your Chinese teacher introduced *The Analects* to inspire you, or how a Chinese friend supported your dreams—illustrating how others plant ideals through culture or language.

3. 'A Dialogue with… in the Age of Artificial Intelligence'

Prompt: Choose a thinker—Confucius, Laozi, Nietzsche or Plato—and engage in dialogue: e.g., ask Confucius how 'ren' (benevolence) informs human–AI relations, or Laozi how 'the Dao follows nature' guides AI ethics—highlighting tensions and synergies between tradition and modernity.

4. 'A Letter to My Chinese Language School Ten Years from Now'

Prompt: Reflect on how learning Chinese shaped your life (e.g., becoming a cultural ambassador); outline your vision for using Chinese to contribute globally in the future.

5. 'Chinese Has Lifted Me to a Higher Starting Point'

Prompt: Describe winning an international competition or accessing global opportunities through Chinese; explain how the language elevated your platform and propelled you toward higher goals.

III. Submission Requirements

1. Originality: Entries must be unpublished original works; plagiarism or ghostwriting is strictly prohibited.

2. Genre: No restrictions—essays, poems, short stories, etc.; innovative expression is encouraged.

3. Word Count: Primary: minimum 200 characters; junior secondary: minimum 400; senior secondary: minimum 600.

4. Format: Submit as a Word document. Title format: [Category + Country/Region + Title]. Include full name, age, school, supervising teacher and contact details at the end of the text.

IV. How to Enter

1. Email Submission: Send your Word document to sjzwzwds@163.com.

2. Entry Limit: One entry per participant.

3. Deadline: 30 November 2025.

V. Awards

1. Grand Prize: 10 winners each in primary, junior and senior secondary categories. Winners receive a 20% discount on study tours to China (airfare and accommodation self-funded); plus free one-year access to iFLYTEK’s E-Xue Chinese APP and the 'Yunshang Zhongbao' online platform.

2. First Prize: 20 winners each in primary, junior and senior secondary categories. Winners receive a 15% discount on study tours to Henan Province, China; plus free six-month access to iFLYTEK’s E-Xue Chinese APP and 'Yunshang Zhongbao'.

3. Second Prize: 40 winners each in primary, junior and senior secondary categories. Winners receive a 10% discount on study tours to Henan Province, China; plus free three-month access to iFLYTEK’s E-Xue Chinese APP and 'Yunshang Zhongbao'.

4. Third Prize: 80 winners each in primary, junior and senior secondary categories. Winners receive a 5% discount on study tours to Henan Province, China; plus one year’s digital subscription to the relevant edition of *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao*.

5. Merit Prize: 200 winners each in primary, junior and senior secondary categories. Winners receive a six-month digital subscription to the relevant edition of *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao*.

6. Organisational and Tutor Awards: Certificates awarded to schools and teachers who actively promote participation.

VI. Key Features

1. Broad Eligibility: Open to Chinese learners in primary, junior and senior secondary schools worldwide.

2. Practical, Contemporary Themes: Topics are timely, representative and original, aligned with Chinese language teaching realities and student proficiency levels across most countries.

3. Distinguished Advisory Panel: Experts span classical Chinese studies, international Chinese language education, children’s and adolescent literacy development, and literary creation.

4. AI-Assisted Assessment: Essays evaluated using a hybrid model combining artificial intelligence and human review—ensuring efficiency, scientific rigour and fairness.

5. Comprehensive Benefits for Winners: (1) Official certificates; (2) publication of selected essays; (3) study tours with peers worldwide; (4) participation in online cultural salons with renowned Chinese writers; (5) one-to-one mentoring by experienced editors to improve Chinese proficiency; (6) free access to *Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao*’s digital Chinese learning resources.

VII. Contact Information

For further details, announcements and coverage, please contact via:

1. Scan the QR code:

2. Visit the website: https://www.zxsxxb.com

3. Telephone & WeChat:

0371-87071622 Ms Li / 13526898172 (WeChat ID same as number)

0371-87071640 Ms Jiang / 13673365652 (WeChat ID same as number)

VIII. Special Notes

1. Submission implies consent for editing, publication and non-commercial promotional use of the work.

2. The Organising Committee reserves the right to verify originality; any violation will result in disqualification.

Write with heart for China; unite across continents through words. We look forward to hearing your story with Chinese—and witnessing the power of language to transcend borders!

Global Association of Cultural and Educational Exchange

*Zhongxuesheng Xuexi Bao* Publishing Co., Ltd.

30 September 2025