International student wins Chinese speech contest with story of Taizhou

Lan Tianlei, an Indonesian student, participates in a Chinese speech contest in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: tzwq2018]

An Indonesian student at Jiangsu Agri-animal Husbandry Vocational College, who goes by the Chinese name Lan Tianlei, won first prize at the 2026 Chinese Speech Contest for Foreigners in Jiangsu, held in Nanjing on Sept 23. She was also named a "Jiangsu City Promotion Ambassador" in recognition of her heartfelt introduction to Taizhou.

Competing against 17 other contestants from across Jiangsu, Lan drew on her nine months of study and life in Taizhou to share a personal perspective on the city. In the prepared speech round, she recalled how the friendliness of local residents helped her feel at home in a new environment. Her curiosity led her to explore everyday life in the city and experience traditional arts such as Taixing Flower Drum Dance and Chinese crosstalk.

In the final round, Lan continued to impress with her impromptu speech, imagining how she would introduce Jiangsu to friends from her hometown. She painted a vivid picture of Taizhou, from its beloved morning tea culture and the thriving China Medical City to the scenic Fengcheng River illuminated at night.

Lan also excelled in the knowledge quiz, responding quickly to questions and demonstrating a strong understanding of Taizhou, Jiangsu and China. Her performance reflected not only solid preparation but also a genuine affection for the place she has come to know as home.