Mao Peirui, champion of the public group, gives a speech via video during the final. CHINA DAILY

"I know that there is nothing more beautiful than a woman being unapologetically herself, comfortable in her perfect imperfection," she said.

Xu Jianfeng, deputy director of the International Relations Department of the Asian Games Organising Committee, said: "We hope more young people with excellent English skills from home and abroad will act as volunteers for the Games. As we work together, we will carry forward the Olympic spirit and do all we can to ensure the Games are a success."

Chen Hongtao, deputy general manager of China Mobile in Zhejiang, said: "As we work energetically together, we are sure the English-language contest will help promote communication and understanding between all countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative."

Audition rounds of the contest, themed "together, we achieve more", were held from May to December. The contest drew more than 50,000 entries from nearly 30 countries and regions, and 18 provinces and cities in China, involving 1,170 colleges and universities which competed in auditions and the qualifying round.

From Saturday to Monday, 400 participants took part in the online national final, which consisted of three sections: Prepared speeches titled "life shines on life" and "all things are ready if our minds be so";questions and answers; and role-playing based on an Asian Games scenario in English and an English talent presentation.

Judges from Tsinghua University, Peking University, Renmin University of China and other universities provided academic support for the contest and gave two lectures. Wang Guan, a China Global Television Network presenter, and Shi Yi, professor of China Foreign Affairs University, talked about international communication and English public speaking.

The Asian Games are a great opportunity to tell the stories of China and of Hangzhou to Asian audiences and further afield, Wang said.

"It's important to put ourselves in their shoes. … It requires empathy when we give public speeches or tell China's story. People will not care how much you know until they know how much you care."

Dong Yanping, dean of the School of International Studies at Zhejiang University and a judge for the finals, said storytelling is about presenting facts, images, emotions and reasons. One way of obtaining valuable life experience is to be a volunteer for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, she said, and it is important to often exchange ideas to improve thinking abilities.

A contestant in the college group, Liu Peilin, of the Communication University of China in Beijing, recalled his sister working as an Asian Games volunteer when he was 6. His family had gone to Changchun in Jilin province for the Games, he said, and the memory of it all was still etched in his mind all these years later.

Outstanding contestants, who fulfill basic requirements to be Asian Games volunteers, will be given priority when the recruitment takes place. This will also apply to the Asian Para Games.

Contact the writer at wudi@i21st.cn