English contest awards trip to Australia

Young linguists from across East China battled it out for a coveted trip to Australia on Saturday.

Seventeen students who won campus heats competed in the final of the 21st Century ECNU-ACC Cup China-Australia Friendship English Contest, held in Shanghai.

Contestants had to prepare a speech under the theme "Australia Through My Eyes", make an impromptu speech, and take part in an Australia-related quiz for a chance to win.

In the end, the top prize went to Cui Jing'e from Anhui University.

Alice Cawte, Australia's consul-general in Shanghai, said the event was a success.

Established in 2003, the ECNU-ACC Cup has grown into an important annual event for college students in East China.

Over the past 10 years, it has become a prime platform for those interested in Australian culture and talented in English to show their language competence and insights into varied aspects of Australia.

The contest is co-organized by the Shanghai-based Australia Study Center, East China Normal University, and the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade.

The event is sponsored by the Australia-China Council of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Consulate-General in Shanghai, China Daily and Casio (Shanghai).