Have you ever been deeply moved by an idea or felt your blood stirred by a brilliant argument? Do you long to stand at the debater’s podium, conquering the audience with logic and language? The Beijing City International School Speak Up Chinese Debate Contest is precisely that stage, where you can articulate with 礼 (courtesy), enlighten with 情 (empathy), refute with 度 (measure) and debate with 节 (propriety)!
Beijing City International School, in collaboration with the Beijing City International School Speak Up Chinese Debate Contest Organizing Committee, cordially invites students from all schools to participate in the 2026 Beijing City International School Speak Up Chinese Debate Contest – an intellectual feast for critical thinkers!
About the Speak Up Chinese Debate Contest
The Speak Up Chinese Debate Contest is more than just a competition; it’s an outstanding platform designed to ignite critical thinking, facilitate the exchange of ideas and foster connections among participants. Co-hosted by Beijing City International School and the Speak Up Chinese Debate Contest Organizing Committee, its primary goal is to inspire students from various schools to engage in deep reflection on social issues and to encourage intellectual dialogue across schools. We firmly believe that debate is not merely a clash of words but a rigorous exercise for the mind and a testament to personal growth.
This year, the Speak Up Chinese Debate Contest will focus on “Diverse Interpretations and Social Evolution of Gender Issues” as its core theme, aiming to guide the younger generation in addressing contemporary social realities through thoughtful and empathetic discussions.
Categories and Debate Topics
Group A (Senior | Under 19)
Preliminary Round: The popularity of “feminism” labels is more beneficial than detrimental/more detrimental than beneficial to promoting gender equality. （“女性主义”标签的流行，对推动性别平等利大于弊 / 弊大于利）
Semi-finals & Finals: To achieve gender equality, changing social perceptions is more important than improving institutional safeguards/improving institutional safeguards is more important than changing social perceptions. 实现性别平等，改变社会观念比完善制度保障更重要 / 完善制度保障比改变社会观念更重要）
Group B (Junior | Under 14)
Preliminary Round: Do short videos “princess filters” empower female images or represent a new aesthetic discipline?（短视频“公主特效”（皇冠/柔光）是对女性形象的赋能，还是新的审美规训）
Semi-finals & Finals: Is contemporary women’s pursuit of “external beauty” an assertion of self-will or an internalization of social pressure?（当代女性追求“外表美”，是自我意志的彰显，还是社会压力的内化）
Event Schedule and Location
Date: Apr 25-26, 2026
Location: Beijing City International School Main Campus (北京市朝阳区百子湾南二路 77 号)
Eligibility
Group A: Participants must be under 19 years old by May 9, 2026.
Group B: Participants must be under 14 years old by May 9, 2026.
Team Composition: Each team should consist of four to ten debaters and be accompanied by one to two adult guardians.
School Participation: Multiple teams from the same school are welcome to register. Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged!
Registration Fees
Early Bird: RMB 150 per person for registrations before Mar 1, 2026.
Standard: RMB 210 per person for registrations after Mar 1, 2026.
Guardians: Guardians attend free of charge.
Awards
Team Awards
Champion: RMB 1,666 prize money + trophy + medals + certificates
Runner-up: RMB 888 prize money + trophy + medals + certificates
Third Place: Medals + certificates
Individual Awards: Awards for “Best Debater of the Tournament” and “Best Debater of Each Round.”
Participation Certificate: All participants will receive an electronic certificate of participation.
Why Participate in the Speak Up Debate Contest?
The Speak Up Chinese Debate Contest is not just a competition; it’s a unique platform for self-expression, active listening, and the development of critical thinking skills. Here, you will:
- Engage in intellectual sparring with talented debaters from various schools.
- Enhance your logical reasoning and expressive abilities through cross-examination, rebuttal and summation.
- Forge lasting friendships with like-minded individuals and create unforgettable debate experiences.
How to Register
Please scan the QR code below to fill out the registration form. The deadline for registration is Apr 10, 2026.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email at debate@bcis.cn or reach out to Liu Fengru (Ella) at 2023133090@bcis.cn.
Think ceaselessly, speak articulately. The Speak Up Chinese Debate Contest 2026 looks forward to hearing your voice!
Images: Ella Liu
