The MOE launched the seventh annual Classics Recitation, Writing, and Speaking Competition this week in Chongqing, while wrapping up the event’s sixth edition. The competition aims to foster cultural literacy and appreciation by engaging a broader community in celebrating China’s literary and artistic traditions.

Awards were presented for the sixth edition, and for the first time, outstanding entries were publicly showcased at the ceremony. As part of ongoing educational reforms outlined in the 2024–2035 Master Plan on Building China into a Leading Country in Education, the seventh edition of the competition will emphasize creativity, fairness, and broader participation.

Four categories—classics recitation, poetry interpretation, calligraphy, and seal carving—will be retained in the seventh edition, while several innovations will expand the competition’s reach. The event is set to align more deeply with national youth reading initiatives and the Smart Education of China platform.

Participants are encouraged not only to draw from ancient Chinese literature but also to present interpretations of modern classics and culturally significant works. The seventh edition introduces expanded categories, including an overseas participation track, a dedicated competition for students from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, and new age groups encompassing elementary, middle school, and vocational students. Additionally, a chalkboard calligraphy category debuts this year.

Contestants can register via the competition’s official website (https://jdsxj.eduyun.cn).