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A Recap of the 9th SHS & SHSID Bilingual Debate Finals

December 4, 2025

After two months of competition, the 9th SHS & SHSID Bilingual Debate Tournament concluded on December 2. Eight debaters engaged in a bilingual exchange on “deconstructing vs. constructing meaning,” showcasing the insightful thinking of today’s youth. Principal Feng Zhigang, Party Secretary Zhang Zehong, and SHSID High School Principal Ma Feng attended the event, joining faculty, student representatives from both divisions, and debate enthusiasts to watch the final round.





Judge Panels


The final featured a stellar panel of judges — Yu Fei, Dragon TV news anchor and Shanghai May Fourth Youth Medal recipient; Professor He Jing, Deputy Director of the Speech and Debate Center at Fudan University’s School of Foreign Languages; and several experienced teachers from both the Local and International Divisions — ensuring the professionalism of the event.



Bilingual Highlights



The competition adopted a unique bilingual format, with debaters seamlessly switching between Chinese and English for opening statements, cross-examination, and free debate.



The Pro side argued for “deconstructing meaning,” highlighting the cognitive challenges of today’s youth. Drawing on examples like the Enlightenment, they emphasized that deconstruction is a thoughtful process to question assumptions and unlock deeper understanding.



The Con side defended “constructing meaning,” arguing that today’s challenge lies not in information overload but in the uncertainty caused by lost values. Citing a ten-year Stanford study, they underscored the importance of building meaning, and highlighted the history war instability as a cautionary example of the risks of excessive deconstruction.


Judges' Comments



In the judges’ feedback, Professor He Jing praised the debaters for tackling a highly philosophical and challenging motion. She noted that their discussion of “deconstruction and construction” showcased contemporary youth’s critical thinking, and encouraged them to apply their debate insights to society and future careers.



Mr. Yu Fei offered suggestions from a media and communication perspective, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing facts from opinions in debate and supporting arguments with real data and examples. He also encouraged students to step beyond textbooks and gain first-hand understanding of society through fieldwork and local investigations.


Award Ceremony


The Con side won the championship with strong arguments and real-world support. Michelle, the second debater from the Pro side was named Best Debater for her excellent delivery and quick thinking.




(Written by Shanghai High School Bilingual Debate Committee　　Pictures by Shanghai High School Media Center)