S'wak Chinese independent school students showcase skills in trilingual public speaking challenge
SIBU (June 22): The 10th edition of the Sarawak Chinese Independent Secondary Schools Trilingual Public Speaking Challenge Cup 2025 officially kicked off yesterday, involving the participation of 55 students.
Federation of Chinese Independent Secondary Schools Sibu Division Board of Management chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King expressed his appreciation to all 14 Chinese independent schools statewide for sending teams to the prestigious competition, which featured public speaking in Mandarin, Malay and English.
'Your active participation reflects not only the consistent implementation of trilingual education in our independent schools, but also the spirit of unity and collaboration under the Sarawak Independent Chinese Secondary Schools Board of Management Association,' he said in his opening remarks for the competition.
He pointed out that while trilingual education had long been a hallmark of Chinese independent schools in the state, there were still some who, due to misunderstanding or outdated stereotypes, assumed that these students only excelled in Mandarin.
'That is a serious misconception, even a prejudice. Fortunately, the students competing here today are proving otherwise through action and results.'
He stressed that Chinese independent schools not only placed strong emphasis on mother tongue education, but also actively embraced multilingualism, ensuring students were well-versed in both the national language and English to broaden their global horizons.
'We cannot imagine a world without language. It is not merely a tool of communication, but also the vessel through which culture, history, and human thought are preserved and passed down,' he added.
Adding on, Tiong described public-speaking competitions as 'excellent platforms' for the younger generation to showcase the power of language while inspiring others through thoughtful expression.
'We look forward to another round of outstanding speeches this year, filled with passion, intellect, and insight from our bright young talents across the state.'
Highlighting the increasing importance of language skills in a world shaped by regional cooperation and rapid digital transformation, Tiong regarded the ability to speak multiple languages fluently as 'no longer a luxury, but a necessity'.
'Being trilingual opens doors to global dialogue, mutual respect, and new opportunities.
'Don't be afraid of making mistakes, every attempt and every interaction is a step forward. Speak up, express yourself, and embrace the world around you.'
Tiong also expressed his gratitude to Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for his continued support of Chinese independent schools, and hoped that the federal government would follow the state's example.
Also present at the event was Sibu Division Chinese Community Leaders Association president Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Two Chinese nationals dead in Bali boat accident: authorities
SANUR, (Indonesia): Two Chinese nationals were killed and an Indonesian was missing Tuesday (Aug 5) after a boat sailing to the popular island of Bali with dozens onboard sank and ran aground, rescue authorities said. A fast boat travelling from Nusa Penida "sank and ran aground" near Sanur port in Bali's east, the island's search and rescue agency said in a statement. Head of the rescue agency in Bali's provincial capital Denpasar, I Nyoman Sidakarya, confirmed two Chinese nationals were killed and a 23-year-old Indonesian remained missing. The boat was left overturned on a beach near Sanur port, according to an AFP journalist at the scene. The rescue agency did not say the cause of the Chinese nationals' deaths. The boat was carrying 80 people, including 73 foreign nationals, two Indonesians and five crew members, the rescue agency in Denpasar said. Marine accidents are a regular occurrence in Indonesia, a Southeast Asian archipelago nation of around 17,000 islands, in part due to lax safety standards and sometimes due to bad weather. Last month a ferry sank on its way to Bali from eastern Java island, killing at least 19 people. In March, a boat carrying 16 people capsized in rough waters off Bali, killing an Australian woman and injuring at least one other person. - AFP
The Star
17 hours ago
- The Star
Mastering the art of giving
Calm stroke, big impact: Seet showing her Chinese painting at an exhibition at Laman Seri Harmoni 33 in Kuala Lumpur. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star Painting hobby turns into mission to help others KUALA LUMPUR: From elegant brushstrokes that clear the artist's mind to meticulously-crafted paintings that instil calm in their audience, the beauty of traditional Chinese ink painting inspired one Malaysian to give back to the people. Having worked as a quantity surveyor in Melbourne, Australia, for years, Audrey Seet first began her journey towards mastering Chinese ink painting in 2017 after seeking a hobby to distract herself from work burnout. 'The challenging but very expressive strokes of each brushwork I made were almost therapeutic as I felt my mind clear itself from all the daily stress of work life. 'It not only allowed me to return to work with a clear mind, but also helped me to develop a better connection to nature and appreciate the little things in life. 'This relaxed state also made me more caring and thoughtful, which eventually led me to use my art for the greater good,' she said in an interview yesterday. Having studied under the guidance of many professional art teachers, the now 62-year-old has since turned her mastery of the art into a way to raise funds for the less fortunate and support local education in Malaysia. She began her dream earlier in April this year by selling her beautiful works of art in an exhibition in Melbourne, where she raised RM20,000 from the sale of four paintings that were then donated to Manna Food Bank. 'The massive turnout gave me a lot of confidence, and I then decided I needed to do one in my home country as a way of giving back to society,' said the Gombak-born Seet. Her newest exhibition, named Discover 'Colours Unbound', showcases 120 pieces of art from both herself and her teachers at Laman Seri Harmoni 33 (LSH33). The exhibition ends today. The diverse variety of work features many recognisable intricately drawn shapes from flowers of various shapes and vibrant colours to scenic locations to various animals like fish, rabbits, pandas, and tigers. She said proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to the nearby SMJK Chong Hwa in Gombak to support its development to improve education for students.
Borneo Post
18 hours ago
- Borneo Post
China's anti-Japanese base blooms into thriving land
This photo taken on July 9, 2025 shows peony seeds displayed at a local company's exhibition hall in Heze City, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Cui Bowen) JINAN (Aug 5): At a war memorial museum in the city of Heze, Shandong province, primary school student Xie Jiayi was rehearsing a heroic story of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression from over 80 years ago, preparing for a speech contest. When Japan's full-scale invasion began in 1937, Shandong, with its abundant resources and strategic location linking north and south, became the invaders' primary target and fell under their control. With the nation's survival at stake, the Eighth Route Army waged guerrilla warfare in rural areas, disrupting Japanese supply lines. In response, Japanese aggressors launched brutal sweeps, often paired with the 'burn all, kill all, loot all' policy. Xie's hero, Eighth Route Army member Qin Xingti, sacrificed during one such sweep in 1943. At Liugang Village, 74-year-old volunteer guide Liu Quanyi recalled the tragedy: Japanese troops herded villagers into a pit, torturing them for Eighth Route Army secrets. To save the villagers, Qin stepped forward: 'I am a Communist! I am an Eighth Route Army soldier!' 'That meant certain death in occupied territory,' Liu said. Qin was among over 35 million Chinese casualties in the war against Japanese aggression lasting from 1931 to 1945. 'My father told me this story, and I shall pass it on,' Liu added. Today, the pit where villagers were once imprisoned has been turned into a square featuring a monument to Qin and fitness facilities. Nearby, workers are constructing two-story homes. The first floor can be used for commercial purposes and the second floor for residence, villagers noted. This photo taken on July 9, 2025 shows a peony-themed decoration displayed at a local company's exhibition hall in Heze City, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Cui Bowen) 'As we develop revolutionary education tourism around war relics, the village is expected to draw more visitors and boost incomes,' said Kong Fanyu, the town's Party secretary. This is how Heze honors its past by building prosperity on soil once scarred by war. The city's transformation mirrors its iconic peonies, the symbol of wealth in Chinese culture, now blooming into a modern industry. A local company's exhibition hall displays peony-produced oil, tea and facial masks. 'We've expanded peony-based products into cosmetics, health foods, and supplements as demand for wellness grows,' said company president Li Jinghao. This photo taken on July 9, 2025 shows peony seed oil products displayed at a local company's exhibition hall in Heze City, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Cui Bowen) She added that the peony flower pastry rolled out this year has received a positive market response. Beyond peonies, Heze has been working to diversify its economy by boosting pillar industries, such as biomedicine and high-end chemicals, while laying out clusters of emerging sectors like new energy, information technology and modern services. Over the past decade, these efforts have lifted the city's gross domestic product from Shandong's bottom ranks to the mid-tier, turning wartime resilience into high-quality development vitality. – Xinhua blooms China flora memorial
