The 6th “Stories of China Retold in English” Contest has officially kicked off! This is a high-level national event with far-reaching influence and broad visibility, offering you a fantastic platform to showcase your cross-cultural communication skills and share unique insights about China with a wider audience. Participating not only allows you to challenge yourself and enhance your abilities but also presents a precious opportunity to bring glory to both yourself and the university.
I. Competition Stages
Pre-registration: December 2025 – January 9, 2026
Preliminary Round: January – March 2026
Advanced Round (Provincial Level): April – May 2026
National Level Grand Showcase: July 2026
The competition adopts a multi-level promotion mechanism, progressing from campus selection to provincial competition and finally to the national showcase. Contestants advancing to the national level will compete with outstanding participants from across the country, and those achieving excellent rankings will be awarded generous prizes.
II. Entry Requirements
1. Preferred language: International students are encouraged to present in Chinese
2. Video Specifications：
1) Duration: No more than 1.5 minutes
2) File size: No more than 200 MB
3) Supported formats: mp4 / flv / mkv / rmvb, etc.
3. Submission Categories (Choose ONE) ：
① Recitation: Select and recite one recommended story excerpt or any article from the recommended books.
② Local Story Writing & Retelling: Create a short local story centered on Chinese elements (e.g., cultural icons, customs, great figures, achievements, arts, spirit, etc.). "Local" refers to Hefei, the city where the university is located. The protagonist shall not be the contestant themselves. Story structure: Must include beginning, body, and ending.
③ Self-Introduction: Introduce yourself with integrated Chinese elements (including but not limited to cultural icons, customs, great figures, achievements, arts, spirit, etc.).
III. Pre-Registration
Please complete the pre-registration via the following link before January 9, 2026: https://v.wjx.cn/vm/Q0VwpVm.aspx#
IV. Support & Tips
To assist students in preparing for the competition, the International College provides optional guidance and support. You are welcome to apply for help if you have needs in the following aspects:
Guidance on Chinese pronunciation and intonation (for the Recitation category)
Revision and enhancement of preliminary round manuscripts (for Local Story Writing & Retelling / Self-Introduction categories)
Guidance on video shooting
Key Tips for Participation
Assessment Criteria for Preliminary Round: Contestants will be evaluated based on communication confidence, cultural confidence, and overall language expression.
Video Shooting Suggestions:
1) Recommended orientation: Landscape
2) Ensure clear audio, sufficient lighting, and a quiet environment
3) Backgrounds, PPT, or props can be prepared as appropriate
4) Strictly prohibited: Disclosure of personal information (e.g., name, student ID, etc.)
5) Originality Requirement: All works must be original. Plagiarism or excessively similar content will result in immediate disqualification.
V. Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding the event please feel free to contact the International College via email: ustc_events@ustc.edu.cn.
We eagerly anticipate your unique stories about China and your life at USTC. Let your voice serve as a bridge between cultures, helping the world understand China through your perspectives!
