Two Chinese teens move London audiences with powerful speeches blending personal stories and national history.
From May 12 to 17, more than 40 young speakers from across the world gathered in London for the International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC), the largest event of its kind.
Among the participants, aged 16 to 20, were two from the Chinese mainland: 19-year-old Jiang Xinyu from Nanjing, Jiangsu province, and 19-year-old Chen Anyi from Hefei, Anhui province.
"The power of public speaking lies in sharing what matters to you with a wider audience," said Jiang. "By stepping onto an international stage, I hope to advocate for the common bonds that unite us as humans, while also sharing China's history and culture with my peers worldwide."
Jiang's words resonated with the audience as she delivered a speech about how four generations of her family passed down their artistic dreams. Her great-grandfather supported the family by painting movie posters for a local cinema, while her grandfather won her grandmother's heart with his art. Jiang's mother, too, showed exceptional artistic talent from a young age.
However, this passion for art did not translate into careers. Jiang's great-grandfather advised his son not to become a professional artist, saying, "Don't paint your life into a corner like I did." As a result, her grandfather became a doctor, and her mother followed the same path.
"Many Chinese parents hope their children can secure a stable livelihood before chasing artistic dreams," Jiang explained. "Fortunately, I am now able to continue those dreams."
Initially, Jiang was unsure whether her personal family story — heartwarming yet subtly conflicted — would be truly understood by a global audience. "Many contestants at such events often use international examples to make their messages more universally relatable," she explained.
But after her speech, a contestant from Estonia approached her, expressing that he had struggled to find a deeply personal story that could also connect with others — until he heard hers.
"The theme of intergenerational bonds resonates with families worldwide," Jiang said. "Seeing my message connect with peers from different countries truly made the experience worthwhile."
While Jiang focused on introspective Chinese family ties, Chen took a different approach by placing China's story in a global context.
In his speech, he honored US educator Minnie Vautrin (1886-1941), who heroically sheltered over 10,000 women and children during the Nanjing Massacre in 1937, amid the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).
Chen explained that during his preparation, he realized the Nanjing Massacre had not been addressed by previous IPSC contestants. "Many international audiences are unaware of this tragic chapter in history. I wanted to shed light on it," he said.
Coincidentally, Vautrin had once been the principal of Chen's elementary school, adding a personal layer to his speech.
After his speech, several contestants approached Chen, shaking his hand and expressing how deeply moved they were by his words.
"Influencing the world is difficult, but at least I can share this history with more people," Chen said.
