2022-07-16
2022 WQC Finals - Tsai Ing-wen: Keep Learning, Shape Taiwan's Future, Propose Creative Solutions
The DPP's Department of International Affairs held its 2022 World Quiz Championship (WQC) Finals on July 16. Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen attended the event, observed contestants, and presented awards to competition winners. During the competition, Chairperson Tsai encouraged participants to continue their studies and foster new ways of thinking. She added that contestants have the potential to shape Taiwan's future and propose creative solutions.
DPP Spokesperson Peifen Hsieh stated that the DPP's first World Quiz Championship was also a major success last year. During the event, Chairperson Tsai surprised contestants by revealing herself as the event's mystery guest. This year, the competition was even more widely attended, and Chairperson Tsai once again joined the event as a mystery guest. The Chairperson's attendance excited competitors and encouraged students' competitive spirit.
The Spokesperson added that in April 2022, 82 schools, 215 teams, and more than 600 high school students across Taiwan attended the first round of the competition. The finals were initially scheduled to be held in late April but were postponed due to the pandemic. In the end, 53 teams were selected for the quarter-final competition. Of the 53 competing teams, only 20 were chosen for the semi-final. As the final 4 contestants vied for first place, they had to first ring a bell faster than their competitors to earn the opportunity to answer a question, like in some TV shows. Spokesperson Hsieh served as master of ceremonies for the entire event.
This year's winning team is also last year's runner-up: the Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal University's "Ryotarō Shiba" team. Last year's champion, Chenggong High School's "Ukraine Will Prevail" team, received second place in the competition. Meanwhile, Mingdao High School's "SWUIMD" team scored third. Kaohsiung Municipal Kaohsiung Senior High School's "GonDanDioDanGonDanGonDonGonDan" received fourth place.
The full text of Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen's opening remarks follows:
Welcome, all contestants, teachers, live stream viewers, and audience members.
This is my first time observing the final round of the competition person, and I admire the contestants' diligence. There are many questions that I struggled with, so I am deeply impressed by every student here.
This is also the DPP's second World Quiz Championship Competition. Competitors represent 82 schools across Taiwan and compose 215 different teams. There are over 600 students registered for the competition. This number of competitors is 1.5 times more than last year.
To see so many motivated students interested in international affairs makes me very happy. I am especially impressed by the competitors today who succeeded in each stage of the competition. It is quite an accomplishment.
I want to congratulate the winning team, but I hope the other competitors do not feel discouraged. I trust that you have all learned much about global affairs by participating in this competition.
I believe that this experience encourages students' curiosity. Participating in this competition will enable students to become more familiar with different areas of international affairs and explore all it offers.
These past few years, Taiwan has demonstrated itself to be a leader in economic growth, pandemic prevention, and many other areas. It has also received the recognition and support of the international community. Moving forward, while facing the global pandemic and economic crisis challenges, Taiwan must continue to sustain its development to ensure that the country will continue to serve as a crucial link in the global supply chain and play a vital role in the international community.
To accomplish these goals, we require the talent of Taiwan's youth.
The DPP has always encouraged youth participation in public affairs. The Party has also provided a variety of opportunities for Taiwanese youth to express themselves.
For instance, the DPP's Department of Hakka Affairs previously organized an "Empowering Taiwan Hakka Youth" camp. The Party's Department of Youth Development also held a "Public Service Flagship Camp for Youth." Through these two events, we saw that Taiwanese youth share an interest in local politics and have visions for the future.
This year's World Quiz Championship once again revealed Taiwan's youth's passion for international affairs.
I believe that each contestant has the potential to expand Taiwan's participation in the international community and become a driving force for future global exchanges. I also encourage every student here to continue learning and nurture more diverse ways of thinking. Keep learning, shape Taiwan's future, and propose creative solutions.
I look forward to working together with you all to improve and advance Taiwan. Thank you.
