Semi-Finals of the Queensland Cup "Amazing Hubei" English Language Talent Competition

Madam Chen Anli, Vice Governor for Hubei Provincial People’s Government, Distinguished Guests, Teachers, Students, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to join you in Wuhan today for this exciting semi-final stage of the Queensland Cup ‘Amazing Hubei’ English Language Talent Competition.

For a decade, the Queensland Government has conducted the Queensland Cup competition, and I am delighted that the Queensland Government’s partner in 2018 is Hubei Province.    

To enter the competition, students from Hubei Province aged between 14 and 18 have made videos in English showcasing their hometown.

As Hubei Province is recognised as the political, financial, cultural and educational centre of this region of China, there is much to showcase!  

The videos are judged on the communication and creative skills of the students involved.

I am sure that every one of this year’s videos demonstrates these important skills. But, unfortunately, not all can be winners.

A shortlist of fifty competitors has been chosen, and these names will be revealed shortly.

The ten winners of the competition will be announced in May and will undertake a two-week study tour of Queensland in August.

Queensland looks forward to welcoming them.  I know they will enjoy Queensland’s beautiful natural environment.

I know the competition winners will be impressed with the quality of Queensland’s education when they participate in activities at a number of educational institutions throughout the State.

And I know that their experience will reinforce Hubei Province’s knowledge of the many great advantages of studying in Queensland, including the high quality of our education, competitive costs, and a positive environment for overseas students.

The study tour will also provide opportunities for Hubei students to meet and work with Queensland students, and to develop friendships and a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures.  This is an important goal that we all strongly support.

As Governor of Queensland, I congratulate all of the students who have entered the 2018 Queensland Cup competition.  I wish them every success in their studies.

I look forward to hearing today from students and other speakers about their experiences of the 2017 Queensland study tour, and of this year’s competition.

I thank and congratulate the distinguished representatives of the Hubei Provincial Department of Education, and the Foreign Affairs (Overseas Chinese Affairs) Office of the Hubei Provincial People’s Government who are here today.

Our continuing cooperation in education can only benefit both Queensland and Hubei Province, and further strengthen the connections of learning and friendship between us.

Thank you.