The final of the 2025 "Nanying Cup" International Chinese Debate Tournament was held at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) on 30 November 2025, with Renmin University of China as the champion.

Image

Themed "Economic and Environmental Sustainability", this year’s tournament attracted 48 university debate teams from around the world, including Zhejiang University, the University of Hong Kong, University College London, the University of Sydney and the University of Malaya, providing a platform for cultural exchange and intellectual engagement.

In the grand final, Renmin University of China faced Hunan University on the motion "Does paying for emotional value empower happiness or drain the soul?" Both teams demonstrated sound reasoning and well-structured analysis, with Renmin University ultimately claiming the championship title.

Image

Renmin University of China Winning the Championship

This year marked the tenth anniversary of the "Nanying Cup". Since its establishment in 2016, the competition has grown from a campus-level event into a recognised international platform for Chinese-language debate. It is now included in the World Chinese Debating Ranking System and recognised among the top eight Chinese-language debate tournaments worldwide, serving as a bridge for youth exchanges between China and Malaysia.

At the opening ceremony, Prof. Wang Huiqiong, Assistant President of XMUM, highlighted the tournament's decade-long development.

"Over the past ten years, the 'Nanying Cup' has evolved into one of the most influential Chinese debate tournaments worldwide," she said. "Its emphasis on philosophical inquiry, cross-cultural perspectives and original thinking reflects our commitment to exploring humanity, culture and society in depth."

Multinational team formation remains a distinctive feature of the "Nanying Cup". This year's tournament featured joint teams such as the Tongji University - University of Toronto United Team, as well as debate teams comprising members from different national backgrounds. The XMUM Debate Team, made up of debaters from both China and Malaysia, also demonstrated the diversity that characterises the competition.

Ma Meng, Chairperson of the Chinese Famous Debaters Alliance and Chief Advisor to the tournament, noted the event's broader impact.

"The 10th edition of the 'Nanying Cup' brought many teams from mainland China," he said. "Through the competition, they gained a deeper understanding of Malaysia's culture and traditions. The tournament continues to improve each year, much like the friendship between China and Malaysia."

Image