Many Pingtan locals listen to student speeches on July 12. [Photo/ptnet.cn]

A cross-Straits college student speech contest took place in Pingtan, Fujian province on July 12.

The contest, themed "Inheriting Chinese traditional culture and gathering the cross-Straits together", attracted 29 college students from seven colleges from both sides of the straits.

Divided into preliminaries and then a final round, the event was judged on four criteria including content, performance, individuality and overall impressions.

Lai Yuxuan, from the University of Taipei, won first prize. [Photo/ptnet.cn]

Lai Yuxuan, from the University of Taipei, won first prize with her story of friendships formed with students from the mainland thanks to singing the song "Descendants of the Dragon" together when she studied in the United States. Lai said that the friendship between the two sides can be seen to start from a culture which belongs to everyone.

Xu Huiling, from the University of Taipei, and Xiao Hong, from Fujian Normal University, took home second prize. Bai Tingting and Chen Xing, from Fujian Normal University, and Chen Yiqi, from National Quemoy University, came in third.

Kang Weixun, assistant professor of Cheng Shiu University, also one of the judges in the contest. [Photo/ptnet.cn]

"The contest provides me with full access to the deep literature knowledge of mainland students and the genial speaking style of Taiwan students," said Kang Weixun, assistant professor of Cheng Shiu University, and one of the judges in the contest.

Xu Huiling, from the University of Taipei, took home second prize. [Photo/ptnet.cn]

Xiao Hong, from Fujian Normal University, came in second place. [Photo/ptnet.cn]