Student Voices English Speech Competition was jointly held by Shanghai Family, Parents & Kids and HuMaNiuWa of Shanghai United Media Group. The 2024 Student Voices English Speech Competition saw participation from a total of 43 schools nationwide, with nearly 1000 entries submitted, and competitors hailing from 14 countries and regions. The 2024 Student Voices English Speech Competition also welcomed two team contest participants from Malaysia.

On October 12th, we had the privilege of hosting two student teams from Malaysia who had traveled far to participate in the 2024 Student Voices English Speech Contest in Shanghai (team members from Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman School: Adam  Hamman， Amaar，Aqil Rayyan， Meor Aieman， Hadif  Eidham & Teacher Habil and from Kolej Yayasan Saad Melaka School: Ariff Hakimi , Badrul Ariff， Mohar Idris & Teacher Apis). Alongside three young students from Shanghai Hongwen School (Rosa Liu，Noah Shen & Morgen Liou), we embarked on an extraordinary day-long exploration of Shanghai's allure.

Our journey began on Waibaidu Bridge, where we recounted its historical evolution to our Malaysian friends—from its original wooden structure to the steel bridge it is today. Every detail carries the story of Shanghai, allowing our Malaysian guests to feel the city's past and present. Standing on the bridge, with the Oriental Pearl Tower and other iconic Shanghai landmarks to our left and the Bund's origins to our right, the scenery was breathtaking.

We arrived at the Monument to the People's Heroes along the Suzhou River. This monument was built to honor those who sacrificed their lives heroically for Shanghai's liberation and development. The towering monument and solemn relief filled us with awe and deepened our appreciation for the hard-earned peace we enjoy today.

Entering the Bund Historical Memorial Hall, we felt like we had traveled through time. Through various historical artifacts and photographs, we reviewed the Bund's development from a muddy path to the Oriental financial Wall Street. We sensed the pulse of this city, especially through exhibits showcasing the architectural changes in Shanghai after its opening to foreign trade. The Malaysian friends listened intently to the explanations, nodding in admiration and marveling at Shanghai's rapid development.

At the Jiushi Art Space on the 2nd floor of Bund 18, we visited "A Tapestry of Flowers" exhibition celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. The 57 works, each capturing the spirit of the times and longing for a better life, not only showcased the living conditions of the Chinese people but also allowed our Malaysian friends to feel the profound depth of Chinese culture. They showed great interest in these works, carefully observing the details and learning to name the items in the paintings in Chinese, and even in Shanghai dialect too.

Next, we arranged a shopping experience on East Nanjing Road. The variety of goods here was astounding, ranging from traditional handicrafts to modern fashion items. From delicate charms and refrigerator magnets to unique snacks, each item was a memory of Shanghai, and every moment was a joyful experience. Our Malaysian friends selected some souvenirs to share with their families as gifts from China.

For lunch, we chose Nanmen Hot Pot, renowned for its traditional thinly sliced meat. Surrounding the steaming hot pot, we enjoyed various fresh meats and vegetables. Our Malaysian friends praised this unique culinary culture. During the meal, we exchanged stories about our respective countries' food cultures, fostering a deeper understanding between us.

In the afternoon, we headed to J Hotel, located within the Shanghai Tower. J Hotel Shanghai Tower Managing Director Foued El Mabrouk extended his warmest welcome to our arrivals. From the heights of J Hotel, overlooking the skyline of Lujiazui, we were overwhelmed by the vitality of this financial hub and the grandeur of modern architecture. Our Malaysian friends expressed their amazement at Shanghai's rapid development and shared their insights on the evolution of urban landscapes. During the interview session, they also engaged in a profound discussion on the similarities and differences between Shanghai and Malaysia in terms of urban development, architectural styles, and cultural integration.

Subsequently, we jointly enjoyed a luxurious afternoon tea provided by J Hotel and embarked on a tour of Jin Yan Restaurant, situated on the 103rd floor. Upon entering the restaurant, the dominant color of Chinese red caught our eyes, complemented by traditional lacquered walls and Chinese-style gateways. The artistic installation of "Dragon Playing with the Pearl" and various glass carvings inside the restaurant exemplified the beauty of traditional Chinese craftsmanship. As we wandered through, we observed various distinctive private rooms, each adorned with landscape paintings meticulously hand-painted by artist Mr. Zhou Xikang on the door frame, immersing diners in a refreshing dining environment that offered a dual feast for both the eyes and the palate. This tour was particularly memorable, as it not only allowed us to deeply appreciate traditional Chinese craftsmanship but also to feel the unique charm of Chinese culture.

As the day's City Walk came to an end, our friendship and exchanges were just beginning. This unforgettable City Walk was not just a cultural exchange but also a heartfelt encounter. We believe this event will become a cherished memory for all of us and look forward to more opportunities for cooperation and exchange in the future.

We are particularly grateful to J Hotel Shanghai, one of the world's tallest hotels, for their generous support of this City Walk event. They have kindly provided a private room with a stunning river view and high-end, exquisite afternoon tea for the children representing Shanghai and Malaysia in the team competition of the 2024 Student Voices English Speech Contest.

Student Voices 英文演讲比赛是由新民晚报社区版《虎妈牛娃》， Shanghai Family, Parents& Kids联合举办的年度赛事，迄今已经成功举办了五届。2024 Student Voices 英文演讲比赛，全国共计43所学校参加，近1000份投稿，参赛选手来自14个国家或地区。2024年演讲比赛，更是迎来了来自马来西亚的两组团队赛选手!

临近决赛之际，我们有幸邀请到不远万里来上海参加“2024 Student Voices”英文演讲比赛的来自马来西亚Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman School（Adam  Hamman， Amaar，Aqil Rayyan， Meor Aieman， Hadif  Eidham & Teacher Habil）和Kolej Yayasan Saad Melaka School的团队成员（Ariff Hakimi , Badrul Ariff， Mohar Idris & Teacher Apis）以及来自上海浦东新区民办宏文学校的三位同学代表（Rosa Liu，Noah Shen & Morgen Liou），与他们一同进行了一次别开生面的上海城市漫游，从历史、文化、美食等不同方面感受上海这座城市的独特魅力。

首先我们带同学们来到了历经百年时光洗礼的外白渡桥。漫步桥上，我们为马来西亚的同学们讲述了它的历史变迁。作为中国第一座全钢结构铆接桥梁和仅存的不等高桁架结构桥梁，外白渡从最初的木桥发展到如今的钢桥，每一个细节都承载着上海时代变迁的故事，这些故事让大家深刻感受到上海过去的沧桑和如今的辉煌。站在桥上，凭栏眺望，一边是浦东陆家嘴的现代摩登，以东方明珠、上海中心为代表的标志性建筑跃然眼前；一边则是历史文化浓重的外滩万国建筑博览群，风格独特、华贵典雅。放眼远眺，浦江两岸交相辉映、时光交错，历史与现代的景观完美结合，令马来西亚的同学们不禁啧啧称赞。

沿着苏州河畔，我们来到了上海市人民英雄纪念塔和大型花岗岩浮雕前。上海市人民英雄纪念塔建成于1993年，是为了缅怀自1840年以来为解放上海而献出生命的革命先烈而建成的纪念性建筑。其设计融合了中国建筑美学，以三根擎天巨柱象征不朽革命精神，下沉式广场营造静谧氛围，环墙镌刻历史，浮雕再现先烈伟业，激励后人铭记历史，传承无畏精神。高耸的塔身和庄重的浮雕让大家肃然起敬，也让我们更加珍惜来之不易的和平生活。

走进外滩历史纪念馆，我们仿佛穿越了时空。通过各种珍贵的历史图片、档案和实物，我们共同见证了外滩开埠150年来的历史变化，并回顾了外滩从泥滩涂纤道到东方华尔街，再到城市会客厅的百年沧桑变化，感受到了上海这座城市的脉动。特别是那些关于上海开埠后建筑群变迁的展览，让马来西亚的同学们对上海的近代史有了更加深入的了解。他们仔细聆听着讲解，不时点头称赞，对上海的日新月异的发展表示赞叹。

离开外滩历史纪念馆后，我们一行人又来到了位于外滩18号2楼久事美术空间，一同参观了庆祝中国共产党成立75周年的“繁花似锦”纪念展。展览基于“繁花”“时代”“笔墨”“雅集”4个维度展出了人物画苑11位艺术家近50幅中国画作品以及10位人物画苑顾问的12幅作品。这些作品不仅代表了艺术家们个人的艺术追求与造诣，更是对上海新风尚、新面貌、新成就的一次深情描绘与颂扬。艺术家们用画笔将上海的多元文化与城市精神展现得淋漓尽致。这些作品不仅展现了中国人民的生活状态，也让马来西亚的同学们感受到了中国文化的深厚底蕴，他们对这些作品表现出了浓厚的兴趣，全程仔细欣赏其中的细节并学习用中文甚至是上海话表述画中物品的名字。这些作品无疑为来到这座城市的他们提供了一个独特的视角，去理解和感受这座城市的繁花似锦的生命力。

结束参观后，我们还特意安排了大家前往南京东路购物的环节。这里商品琳琅满目，从传统的手工艺品到现代的时尚商品应有尽有。从精致的挂件、冰箱贴到特色的小吃，每一件都是代表着属于上海的记忆，每一刻都是欢乐的体验。马来西亚的同学们在这里兴致盎然的挑选了一些具有中国以及上海特色的纪念品，准备带回家与家人分享这份来自中国上海的礼物。

结束上午的参观行程后，不知不觉间就到了午餐时间。我们选择了南门涮肉作为用餐餐厅。这家餐厅以其传统的涮肉而闻名。在热气腾腾的火锅旁，我们品尝了各种新鲜的肉类和蔬菜，马来西亚的朋友们对这种独特的饮食文化赞不绝口。在用餐过程中，我们还交流了各自国家的饮食文化，增进了彼此的了解，用美食文化加深了友谊。

下午的行程，我们来到了上海中心J Hotel。上海中心J酒店总经理富爱德先生对我们的到来表示了热烈的欢迎。从J Hotel的高处俯瞰陆家嘴的天际线，我们感受到了上海金融中心的活力和现代建筑的壮观。马来西亚的同学们对上海的快速发展表示惊叹，并分享了自己对城市发展变化的看法。在采访环节，他们还就上海与马来西亚在城市发展、建筑风格和文化融合等方面的异同进行了深入的探讨。

接着，我们共同享用了J Hotel提供的豪华下午茶， 并参观了位于103楼的锦筵中餐厅。踏入餐厅，中国红的主色调映入眼帘，传统漆雕墙面与中式门楼交相辉映。餐厅内的“祥龙戏珠”艺术装置及各式琉璃雕刻，尽显中国传统工艺之美。漫步其中，能看到各不相同、别具特色的包房，画家周西康先生为各包房月亮门手工绘制的山水画更是将食客引入耳目一新的餐饮环境，体会视觉和味觉的双重盛宴。这个room tour环节让人尤为难忘，不仅让我们深刻领略了中国传统工艺的魅力，还让我们感受到了中华文化的博大精深与独特韵味。

不知不觉间，一天的上海城市漫步（Citywalk）之旅在大家的依依不舍间结束了。但我们中马同学之间的友谊和交流才刚刚开始。这是一次难忘的城市漫步，不仅是一次文化的交流，更是一次彼此心灵的碰撞。相信这次活动将会成为我们彼此心中一段美好的回忆，也期待未来有更多的交流与合作机会。让我们继续跨越山海，共赴美好未来！

特别感谢全球最高酒店之一的上海中心J酒店，对本次City Walk的大力支持。为2024 Student Voices英文演讲比赛团队赛的上海及马来西亚代表队的孩子们，提供了坐拥绝佳江景的包间以及高端精致的下午茶。