International students from Jiangsu University and Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry participate in a Chinese speech contest. [Photo/Zhenjiang Daily]

The Zhenjiang preliminary round of the 3rd Jiangsu Chinese Speech Contest took place on Sept 2, featuring international students from Jiangsu University and Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry. Contestants delivered speeches in Chinese, sharing experiences related to football and China.

One highlight came from Anh Nguyet Ngo, a Vietnamese student majoring in automotive manufacturing automation at Jiangsu University. Speaking with a gentle tone, she described her three years in China, during which she often visited cultural landmarks such as the Zhenjiang Museum and Xijin Ferry, gradually developing a fondness for the city's slow pace and ancient charm.

She linked her journey of learning Chinese characters with her younger brother's pursuit of his soccer dream: "Learning Chinese and playing soccer both require perseverance and hard work. It's never a solitary path — progress comes through communication and exchange."

Judges evaluated the contestants based on language proficiency, content, and delivery. In the end, Ngo won first prize. Second place went to a student from Cote d'Ivoire at Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry. Third place was awarded to a Russian student at Jiangsu University and an Afghan student at Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry.