After intense preparation and multiple rounds of competition since the beginning of the semester, the 2025 SHSID G9 Chinese Debate Tournament final rounds have successfully concluded. Throughout this process, the debaters fully demonstrated their critical thinking skills and teamwork, bringing the tournament to a perfect closure.

In the preliminary rounds, 12 teams, new to debate, engaged in heated discussions on the motion "Blind Box Marketing Is/Is Not a Consumption Trap." They explored the rapidly growing blind box industry, analyzing contemporary consumer culture through case studies of phenomenally popular products such as LaBuBu and Pop Mart.

The four standout teams advanced to the quarter-finals, where debaters engaged in an in-depth discussion on the motion "Companions/Goals are more important," offering unique interpretations of the topic. The proposition side emphasized the hardships encountered in personal growth, highlighting the importance of companions who shape our perspectives and enrich our souls. On the other hand, the opposition side firmly stressed the significance of having clear goals in life. They argued that focusing on owning clear goals is like possessing an unwavering lighthouse that prevents one from losing direction. In contrast, a journey without a clear purpose, even with numerous companions, may lead to getting lost. Both sides drew upon a wealth of real-life examples, making the debate both intellectually sharp and grounded in relatable experiences.

On the final stage, Class 9(4) and Class 9(10) delivered an exceptional debate on the motion "In the current era of dealing with mental internal consumption, is 'pushing oneself' or 'resolving oneself' a more necessary mindset?" The proposition team reframed "mental internal consumption" not as a mere adversary but approached it from perspectives of evolutionary psychology and physiology, arguing that self-discipline provides a constructive force to tackle such exhaustion. The opposition team emphasized the pivotal role of "mindfulness" in addressing these challenges, asserting that acceptance is the starting point of change. Only by fully accepting one's emotions and current state, and ceasing self-criticism, can one create the cognitive clarity needed for rational decision-making. The six debaters explored contemporary narratives through various scenarios and dimensions.

Following the debate, judges and senior members of the school's debate team highly praised both teams: "The most commendable aspect of this match was the sincerity with which both sides engaged with the issue. Their willingness to acknowledge each other's perspectives—recognizing that pushing and accepting are not mutually exclusive—resulted in such a remarkable contest."

The debate tournament has built a bridge for freshmen to "express themselves and understand others." Debate is not a black-and-white confrontation, but a collision of different perspectives. While articulating their arguments, the freshmen learned to organize scattered thoughts into clear logic, honing their ability to express themselves with precision. When listening to their opponents, they gradually realized: "So there’s another way to think about the same issue!" The intense clash of ideas enriched their understanding of the world through dialogue.

At the same time, the debate tournament also became an opportunity for the freshmen to "explore themselves and clarify their direction." Whether pondering the priority between "where to go" and "who to walk with" in life, or seeking better ways to cope with mental internal friction, these were essentially dialogues with themselves. In the process of defending their positions, they unconsciously sorted out their own values—do they value the guidance of goals more, or the warmth of companionship? Are they inclined to push themselves with "self-discipline," or do they prefer to soothe their inner struggles with "self-acceptance"? This kind of self-reflection helped them better understand their own needs and choices, providing a clearer internal frame of reference for facing academic pressure and life challenges in the future.

For the ninth-grade freshmen, what the debate tournament left them with includes the habit of dialectical thinking, the courage to express themselves clearly, the openness to respect differences, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world. These abilities and mindsets will empower them to move forward with greater clarity and thoughtfulness on their future paths. Sincere thanks to all volunteers, judges, teachers, and student debaters for their support in this event. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

(Written by Chinese Debate Club   Pictures by G9 Media Group  Supervised by Meijun Shi   Reviewed by Qian Zuo)