On May 25th, the national semifinals and finals of the second "Excellence Cup" national high school and middle school French speech competition were grandly held at the Minhang Campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The theme of this competition was "Technology Illuminates the World." Fourteen university contestants from Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Nanjing University, Shanghai University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Shanghai International Studies University, as well as four middle school contestants from Chengdu Foreign Language School, Chongqing Foreign Language School, and Nanjing Foreign Language School, participated in the national semifinals. They delivered three-minute prepared speeches and answered judges' questions for two minutes. Ten university contestants and three middle school contestants advanced to the finals. At the finals, they delivered splendid speeches on topics such as "Technological Innovation and Global Development" and "Cultural Inheritance and Innovation."

In the afternoon of the 25th, Séverine BOUÉ, Education Consul of the French Consulate General in Shanghai, Laurent CATOIRE, professor at the French National School of Advanced Techniques, Patrice Paricaud, and Johnny Deschamps, vice president of IAM Asia at Faurecia, Peter MATTHEWS, vice president of IAM Asia at Faurecia, Peter MATTHEWS, head of the Schneider Electric China R&D Center Liu Nan, and Di Qiong, director of talent and organizational development at Faurecia China, attended the finals. They were joined by Hu Weiwei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Li Jinxiang, Deputy Director of the Student Affairs Office and Secretary of the School Youth League Committee, Frédéric TOUMAZET, French Dean of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Paris Institute of Technology (SPEIT), and Chen Cailian, Secretary of the Party Committee, and Vice Secretary Yao Xue. Hundreds of teachers, students, and family members came to watch the competition. Xu Yang, counselor of the Paris Institute of Technology (SPEIT) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and senior student Zhuo Jin served as hosts in Chinese and French, respectively.

The finals featured a distinguished panel of judges, including Séverine BOUÉ, Education Consul, Liu Yilu from Beijing University of Chemical Technology, He Jiguang from Beijing Foreign Studies University, Zhang Xinmu from Nanjing University, Shen Yili from Shanghai University, Chen Jiakun from Shanghai International Studies University, and Shi Yichao and Liu Yaqiu from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, seven French language experts. Peter MATTHEWS, vice president of IAM Asia at Faurecia, Zhou Bin and Xiao Xiao from Schneider Electric's Shanghai R&D Branch, and Lu Yanchi, as well as five business experts from Faurecia China, and Laurent CATOIRE, an expert in energy and power engineering at the French National School of Advanced Techniques, made up the final judging panel. They evaluated the contestants' performances based on language expression, scientific knowledge, and innovative thinking.

Hu Weiwei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, delivered a speech before the finals. She warmly welcomed the guests and judges from afar and congratulated the contestants who advanced to the finals through the challenges. She pointed out that Shanghai Jiao Tong University has a long history of educational cooperation with France, having signed cooperation agreements with over 60 French universities in various fields such as science, engineering, liberal arts, and commerce, jointly committed to cultivating outstanding young talents with global competitiveness. This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. The "Excellence Cup" French Speech Competition not only celebrates the longstanding friendship between China and France but also aims to cultivate more talents with international perspectives and cross-cultural communication abilities. She looked forward to the contestants demonstrating outstanding language and analytical abilities, promoting continuous development in Sino-French exchanges and cooperation.

Chen Cailian, Secretary of the Party Committee of SPEIT introduced the competition. She stated that this year's "Excellence Cup" French speech competition has been fully upgraded, expanding from university students to middle school students, attracting 109 students from more than 40 high schools and middle schools nationwide upon its announcement. As one of the most influential languages internationally, French not only represents the rich history and culture of French-speaking countries but also serves as a common language in many engineering and technology fields. This year's competition guided high school and middle school students to consider global issues from a technological perspective, inspiring young students to contribute their youthful vigor to promoting sustainable development of human society. Additionally, she expressed gratitude to Schneider Electric, Faurecia, and Faurecia's generous support for the competition and looked forward to deeper cooperation in the fields of education and scientific research in the future.

The finals were divided into two categories: middle school and university groups. Middle school contestants first delivered a three-minute speech on "Cultural Inheritance and Innovation in the Digital Age: Responsibilities and Opportunities for Contemporary Youth," followed by a two-minute impromptu speech. Their presentations were marked by rich body language and emotional delivery, demonstrating calm and steady demeanor. The university group competition was more intense and thrilling, with contestants delivering a three-minute speech on "Technological Innovation and Global Development: Sharing the Technological Dividend of the Future" and engaging in a debate format with challengers. The contestants exhibited exceptional strength, showcasing profound French language skills and unique insights into technological developments. They cited vivid examples such as Digital Dunhuang and electronic guide dogs to illustrate the benefits of technology for sustainable human development, earning rounds of applause.

After fierce competition, ultimately, Lei Xuanwu and Huang Qishuo from Nanjing Foreign Language School won the special prize and first prize respectively in the middle school group; Feng Ziye from Shanghai Jiao Tong University won the special prize in the university group, and Wang Xiaohan from Beijing Foreign Studies University won the first prize in the university group. The competition also awarded one second prize and one third prize in the middle school group, and three second prizes and five third prizes in the university group. 

During the award ceremony, speeches were delivered by corporate guests. Ms. Liu Nan expressed that learning French is not only about learning a language but also about learning about a country's culture and history. She hoped that students would enjoy the process of learning French and contribute to the continuation of Sino-French friendship. Di Qiong stated that French is elegant, precise, and speculative, and he hoped that students would enhance their analytical and cross-cultural abilities through learning French. Peter MATTHEWS warmly congratulated the winning contestants, noting that their excellent performances reflected the effort behind them, and he hoped that this competition would inspire more people to love and learn French.

Frédéric TOUMAZET, Dean of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Paris Institute of Technology (SPEIT), concluded with his speech. He remarked that all contestants demonstrated exemplary courage and determination, expressing their views and defending their beliefs fluently in French on the "Excellence Cup" stage. French has a rich history and diversity, serving not only as a means of communication but also as a bridge between cultures, fostering dialogue and mutual understanding. This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, which is of great significance. This speech competition continues the tradition of dialogue and cooperation between China and France. He emphasized that eloquence is a basic skill in daily life that can influence others, unite people, and overcome differences. The contestants' outstanding performances vividly demonstrate that language learning and cross-cultural communication are keys to a harmonious future, contributing bricks to the international peace and cooperation. He believed that the openness, dialogue, and mutual respect displayed in today's competition can serve as a guiding principle for personal and professional life, hoping that more people can continuously improve their speech skills to build a better world.

Thus, the second "Excellence Cup" national high school and middle school French speech competition, lasting half a year, concluded successfully. This competition was guided by the Consulate General of France in Shanghai, jointly hosted by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the French Higher Education Office, and organized by the Paris Institute of Technology (SPEIT) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the School Youth League Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

This competition is one of the series of activities celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France for the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Paris Institute of Technology (SPEIT). By organizing French enthusiasts and learners from across the country to compete on the same stage, discussing global issues in French, awakening global awareness among young students, and enhancing their communication and dialogue capabilities on the international stage. The Shanghai Jiao Tong University Paris Institute of Technology (SPEIT) at will continue to build the "Excellence Cup" French speech competition brand, attracting more young students to grasp the essence of French reasoning, cultivate the art of expression, enhance their understanding of global issues, and strive to build a better world!

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